What does "hmm" exactly mean?

Question

I am asking because:

1) I have seen the word "hmm" being used quite a number of times as the first word in GAGers' opinions when they answered the questions I posted on this site.

2) I have seen the word "hmm" being used quite often by people whom I was having text conversations with on my phone when I was telling them something important or serious or telling them some observations I had made. Does using "hmm" here mean that they disagreed or were doubting what I had just shared with them?

Thanks for your honest answers.

Confucius16 · Accepted Answer

Hmm...

It's something we say in real life too. Writing a "hmm" makes it more realistic, in my opinion, and it sounds like we are thinking aloud, something we do in everyday conversation too. I guess it sends a message to readers, that the question or answer will take a little more pondering.

YourFutureEx · Accepted Answer

#1. If it is used at the starting of the sentence (like: Hmm... abcdefg) it means he/she is thinking and losing the interest in conversation.

#2. If it is used as the only word in the sentence (like: Hmm..) it means this is the end of conversation and you should better leave.

SmilesAintAgirl14 · Accepted Answer

it's questionary. it depends on the context as well. It could be asking someone to repeat a statement, or It could be used to lead someone into sharing an answer;

person 1: "do you know what my favorite color is?"
person 2: "hmm?"
person 1: "blue."

BellePepper · Accepted Answer

"Hmmm" is an onomatopoeia that shows someone is thinking about something. You need other context clues to know how exactly the person is intending to use it.

BumbleDeev · Accepted Answer

Hmm as in they're thinking. Imagine a hum with a question mark. I imagine people saying it while scratching their head or playing with their beard lol

Xtcy2083 · Accepted Answer

Hmm... I'm not sure. Here, this might help.

AmandaYVR · Answer

"Disagreed or doubting"? No, I don't think so. I personally don't write it then.
Well for one thing, I take pride in really trying to communicate well and effectively, and I sometimes enjoy answering questions spontaneously without preplanning what I'm going to say too much. It is more fun or interesting for me, sometimes (depends on the question) to think out loud, and be more stream of consciousness.
When writing it in text form, I think that is more like a real conversation (live) and so it signifies that what the other person has said is interesting, or complex, and requires some thought, and a quick answer or response is not appropriate. They are pondering what you have said.
There could be other options, such as stalling, or withholding, or playing a game to try and get you to reveal more without them actually contributing anything. But those options are probably a bit less likely than the first scenarios I gave. That's my guess.

Anonymous · Answer

Seriously? There is like a thread on this that my going HMMPHT! linked me too... I mean like nah this so not like going "Hmm..." Hell, they have emojis and shit to represent that! 🤔

HMMPHT! is a physical sound that is caused by so much utter contempt for wuteva ideation some total ignoramous idiotous sapien (?) has proposed and has assaulted my senses to the point that my only response is HMMPHT! 😈

How can someone possibly express in words the utter contempt and indignation one feels when they HMMPHT! I suppose it is something that must be experienced in order to fully explain. So, my friends... I am left at a loss in my humble attempts to convey the unconveyable meaning of HMMPHT! 😓

Bluemax · Answer

It means, "I am having oral sex and I can't talk." ;-D Seriously, it means they are thinking about what has been said. I do think it implies a certain amount of skepticism.

Sarairocketship · Answer

For me, it means I'm thinking about my response thoughfully. It's just an expression meaning 'let me think'. Well to me anyway. I now realize I've used it like twice in my GAG answers. I saw it was highlighted blue and didn't know what that meant. But I think I do now.

PinkFreud · Answer

It means you're pondering. Or I guess a variety of other things. That's why I hate texting, you never know the tone and could be reading it completely wrong

ImpMontezuma · Answer

Hmmm :/ Not sure sure what that means.

XD jk of course. Well, at least for me is like if the person is thinking. At least that's how I use it. But I'm aware that people may use those stuff in different ways. I guess knowing what the other person mean with those interjections, emoticons, etc is part of knowing that person better. So, you'll eventually understand what that person mean when you know that person well enough :3

RxMc2401 · Answer

It means they’re giving your words and their forthcoming reply a certain amount of thought because it might be a complex answer or problem and they want you to know they’ve given it a measure of concern that they wouldn’t otherwise have given if it were some easy basic issue

ThiccBoai · Answer

Yeah 'hmm' is a difficult one. You should assume that it's being used in a good way if the conversations looks positive. It can be used for many different things. In real life, you'll hear the differences, but in text it harder to do so. It can mean something is: Disgusting, delicious, hot 'n sexy, strange, interesting and many more.

So I guess read the text, feel the mood and imagen what the most likely one could be, givin the conversation

WalterBlack · Answer

It is a response to something though-provoking when you haven't yet figured out exactly what you want to say.

Depending on the context, it could convey agreement or disagreement. Typically, however, "hmm" is neutral of any judgement or it may be purposefully ambiguous to keep the recipient guessing about the sender's feelings.

MementoMori_ · Answer

It may mean that they "disagree," and are trying not to be too aggressive in their disagreement, but the basic meaning of it is "I'm thinking about it."

It may also mean something like "You make a good point and I am changing my mind to Agree with you."

So it means "I'm thinking."

Bananaman177 · Answer

It denotes a pause in conversation, meant to convey that someone is thinking, or must think for a moment before they can continue to speak.

Somewhat like an audible comma.

"hmm." can also be used to imply that someone is thinking something which may be obvious, but they choose not to state what they think explicitly.

elizamichale1 · Answer

Well its not a disagreement necessarily and as we use hmm quite frequently otherwise our life i mean apart from texting
It just means that they are thinking about it
Sometimes it can be interpreted as speechless
Or agreement
Or disagreement
Or thinking the same thing
Or its something serious what you are discussing

There could be so many situations tbh

Jaysonava · Answer

"hmmmmm" is actually used to hold the listeners attention before you have reached your thought.

If you are talking to your dog, you don;t say hmmmmm because the dog can;t understand you anyway.

hmmmmmm tells the listeners that you are about to say something so they don't drift off or change the subject

yolo18 · Answer

people will have different opinion on this one but, for me personally I use it when I want to agree with somebody or I say it instead of writing "yes". Some people even use it when texting to show their partner they are having an orga$m

Zeuso · Answer

Actually,

The onomatopoeia "Hmmm" is a sign of silent acquiescement or a passive answer in order to avoid developing the conversation further !
The onomatopoeia "Mmmhh" is a an expression of thinking aloud or represent talking to oneself when reflecting on a sensitive matter

linkywinky · Answer

When I use hmm it's usually to show the person that I'm listening/reading what they're saying but don't really have much input on it. I neither agree nor disagree with them at that time.

CHARismatic110 · Answer

Most times it means I'm thinking. If I use it by itself that means I either don't have much to say, or don't want to say what's on my mind. Or I don't wanna talk anymore.

aficionado · Answer

It means one of these:- 1) They want to imply that their text/opinion has been posted after a long thought 2) They're at a loss for words!

Klaatu51 · Answer

i use hmmmm a lot... it means i'm thiking at the moment i post the opinion :-P

matchrestore · Answer

Considering how often @girlsaskguys automatically links the word hmm here I would have assumed there would be more responses here...

zeitgeist057 · Answer

It's just another one of those

humanearth · Answer

A hmm, I would buy at VS a satin midi slip dress. Thats about 68 bucks. The rest I would buy some closeout lotion or perfume. That might make it to a 100 bucks

lorix · Answer

If I'm texting certain people it means I'm pissed lol

Phoenix98 · Answer

It's just something you say when your thinking, don't you ever go hmmm when your thinking deeply about something.

Ducky456 · Answer

Hmm for me means I'm trying to think of the best answer.

Anonymous · Answer

Whenever anyone has used Hmmm to me on a post, a sarcastic comment always followed.

hypno-trip · Answer

it means he or she is thinking and has no real comment

Wolfynight · Answer

When i put 'hmm' it means i am 'thinking' about what I am saying in text

Everglow5 · Answer

It means I'm thinking so gimme a sec. At least that's what it means when I use it.

CrystalSnowflakes · Answer

I say it to give myself more time to think, or to show I'm thinking.

MuffinBoi · Answer

Just a catchphrase of mine that I like to use to sound smarter than I really am :)

Anonymous · Answer

I told my girlfriend I miss her and she said "hhhmmm"
I told her another day to come visit me and she said "hhmm"I was so upset..
To Me who uses hhmm on you is not in agreement with you and it's a negative impression to the reader and you may feel looked down on

Massageman · Answer

If I use "hmmmmm" to begin an answer, it means that the question really required some thought for whatever reason.

SarahsSummer · Answer

It’s the internal sound a brain makes when thinking.

crazyincalifornia · Answer

I use it often. for me it means Let me think on it. :))

snuggle_bunny88 · Answer

It usually means someone is thinking. Some people tend to type/text exactly what they're thinking.

genericname85 · Answer

it´s just used to indicate that quite some thought had to go into the following statement and that one is probably not that sure about it.

JohnBhoy94 · Answer

"Hmm" means "I'm thinking". I don't see why people would use it in text speak though.

soccerchick4eva · Answer

when i use hmm, it normally means im thinking haha :)

winterfox10 · Answer

it's just a contemplative filler word. I use it because it makes me feel smarter then I am; kind of like my glasses.

random-1 · Answer

It’s a way to show someone that you’re thinking. It just makes talking to people on technology more realistic and lifelike.

Anonymous · Answer

Hmm is abbreviation for: Highly Meditative Meaning :P JK, it's just something you say when you're thinking deeply about it.

Katy16 · Answer

I think it's just like they are thinking about their response, that's kinda how I use it

Nik1hil · Answer

Hmmm. . Hmmm. . Hmmmm. . .. Hmmmmmm... HMMMMMMMMM...

Anonymous · Answer

Hmm is short for: Hidden memory meaning (because you're trying to remember something deep inside your memory) :P

NYCQuestions1976 · Answer

Hmmm... I'll get back to you. "Hmmm" usually leads right into procrastination. lol

RealDarkeyes · Answer

I said hmm in a comment and it links to this... Hmm...

Zaneprodigy · Answer

its something we say irl and it means im in thought or i was thinking (at least to me thats how i use it)

Anonymous · Answer

Its usually used to let the other person know they are thinking or pondering about something... maybe either you said or something else related to your conversation.

WideOpenMind4Eyes2C · Answer

Just used it. As -- "Well, Think about it" meaning (Of course it #%$& is) But show you're pausing to think briefly works too.

brookeh09 · Answer

Just means they're thinking.

Ms_Facesitter · Answer

Thinking out loud pretty much

Blueeyes81 · Answer

Its a passive aggresive way of saying I disagree.

fernandotorres · Answer

hahahah you are talking turkish person? dont you?

Tessxs_ · Answer

'I don't know, but pretty sure its gonna be no'

Iron_Man · Answer

Ask @Sueshe she that to me 5 minutes ago

Anonymous · Answer

hmm, hmm kültürlerarası bir ünlem kelimesidir.

DevinAM · Answer

They're just pondering.

Smirnoff23 · Answer

It really annoys me when people say that to me

Hurdleez-Swampede · Answer

They doubt you and wonder why you think that way.

What does "hmm" exactly mean?

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