interjection / noun
humph
HUMF/həmf/
A short sound expressing doubt or displeasure.
Humph, this toast looks far too burnt to enjoy.
Etymology
Humph is recorded as a grunting sound of disdain, with the earlier form humh also attested. Its expressive force comes from the grunt rather than from components with separate meanings.
In context
Humph. It must be a scam.
More examples
- She answers the suggestion with a skeptical humph.
- A quiet humph is his only response to the delay.
- “Humph! I expected better,” she mutters.
Forms
humph · humphs
Similar words
- hmph
- Hmph is another written representation of a dismissive or doubtful grunt.