ahem

ehem

1. 1.

   (onomatopoeic)(onomatopoeia) The sound of a quiet cough or of clearing one's throat.

2. 2.

   Demanding attention.

   Ahem! Could we please get started?

3. 3.

   Expresses disapproval or annoyance.

   Ahem! In case you didn't notice, I did my share of the work, too.

4. 4.

   Indicates the speaker does not wish to be perceived as rude, often intimating an impolite meaning to a third party that the speaker is not addressing.

1. 1.

   To cough or clear one's throat so as to draw attention.