/h(ʌ)mf/, [həɱf], [hɱ̩f]
OriginA natural utterance, first recorded in the mid-16th century.
- onomatopoeicA sound, usually made with a closed mouth pouting, indicating annoyance, indignation, disapproval, doubt, or sighing.
“`Beauty is too rare upon it. Give me no thanks, who am made happy by thy coming.' `Humph! old fellow,' said Leo aside to me in English, `the lady is very civil.'”
“"There!" panted Pollyanna, hastily plucking a pink from a vase near by and tucking it into the dark hair where it would give the best effect. "Now I reckon we're ready to be looked at!" And she held o”
- intransitiveTo utter "humph!" in doubt or disapproval.
- A diminutive of the male given name Humphrey.
Formshmph(alternative) · hmpf(alternative) · humf(alternative) · humphs(present, singular, third-person) · humphing(participle, present) · humphed(participle, past) · humphed(past)