To Harrumph is to make a grumbling, guttural sound, often expressing disapproval, annoyance, or impatience. It's a vocalization used to clear the throat and, by extension, to indicate a dismissive or critical attitude. The sound conveys a degree of self-importance and a lack of genuine engagement with the subject at hand, often used when disagreeing with someone or not enjoying something. It implies a judgmental stance and an unwillingness to fully articulate the source of the displeasure, often indicating a pompous person or attitude. It is related to clearing the throat with the sound of 'hrm', sometimes with a growl.
Harrumph meaning with examples
- The old man harrumphed loudly as the youngsters blasted their music from their car outside his house. He looked at the offending vehicle, shaking his head, and letting them know how displeased he was. It was not the sound that conveyed his true anger; it was the accompanying glare that he gave them and the clear disgust shown in the harrumph.
- After the politician made several ludicrous statements about the economy, the financial expert on the panel harrumphed audibly. He subtly rolled his eyes and looked down at his notes, making sure to give the impression he thought the speaker was completely clueless. He let out a loud, throaty sound which indicated he was not impressed.
- When the waiter informed the customer that they were out of the special, the man harrumphed. The customer looked at his companions, letting them know this was a serious problem, and then looked back at the waiter, to again let his annoyance be heard. It was clear that there was no way the waiter could salvage the situation.
- As the director gave lengthy, tedious notes on the already near-perfect scene, the actor, clearly bored, harrumphed, barely managing to suppress his actual frustrations and the urge to tell him to be quiet and let him get on with his job. He made sure to look at the other actors while he did it so that they understood how he felt.