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DictionaryharrumphThroaty expression
verb / interjection / noun

harrumph

huh-RUMF/həˈrʌmf/

A throaty sound expressing disapproval or self-importance.

He harrumphs at the dirty shoes resting on the clean coffee table.

A visibly disapproving throat-clear interrupts someone putting dirty shoes on a clean coffee table: the annoyed man straightens stiffly, brings a loose fist below his slightly open mouth, and fixes the offender with a narrowed sideways stare.
Etymology

Harrumph imitates throat-clearing or a disapproving noise rather than combining meaningful roots. The gruff sound itself conveys the speaker’s annoyance or disapproval.

More examples

  • She answers the ridiculous suggestion with a loud harrumph.
  • “Harrumph! Nobody asked for my opinion,” he says.
  • The chairman harrumphs importantly before announcing his decision.

Forms

harrumph · harrumphs · harrumphed · harrumphing

Similar words

grunt
A low, rough sound that need not express disapproval.
huff
An annoyed puff of breath rather than a throaty sound.