How to pronounce hem
Say it like HEM. Hem is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce hem. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- HEM
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Hem pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- HEMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of hem
American and British speakers say hem in essentially the same way: /hɛm/ in the US and /hɛm/ in the UK.
British respelling: HEM.
What does hem mean?
- Used to fill in the gap of a pause with a vocalized sound.
- An utterance or sound of the voice like "hem", often indicative of hesitation or doubt, sometimes used to call attention.
- To make the sound expressed by the word hem; to hesitate in speaking.
Where does hem come from?
A sound uttered in imitation of clearing the throat (onomatopoeia)
Words that rhyme with hem
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of hem.
Questions about saying hem
How do you pronounce hem?
Say HEM. The American pronunciation is /hɛm/. In British English it is /hɛm/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in hem?
Hem is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: HEM.
Do Americans and Brits say hem the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /hɛm/ and the British form is /hɛm/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.