Hem — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb interjection /ˈhem/

Meaning & Definition of Hem

Hem (noun)

  1. a border of a cloth article doubled back and stitched down
  2. rim, margin

Hem (verb)

  1. to finish with a hem
  2. border, edge
  3. to surround in a restrictive manner, confine —usually used with in
  4. to utter the sound represented by hem
  5. equivocate

Hem (interjection)

  1. —often used to indicate a vocalized pause in speaking

Hem (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. the line or relatively narrow space that marks the outer limit of something

    "the hem of the blouse was gold"

    similar: border, borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge
    related: ambit, brink, crest, curb, cusp, lip, ceiling, maximum, demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination, borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage, lap, shore
    near: center, core, heart, inner, inside, interior, middle, within

Hem (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in haw

    similar: haw, balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble, dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate, wait, back down, chicken (out), consider, debate, deliberate, ponder, weigh, oscillate, sway, equivocate, hedge, pussyfoot, waffle
    opposite: dive (in), plunge (in), decide, budge, stir, advance, continue

  2. as in trim

    similar: trim, border, bound, edge, frame, fringe, margin, rim, skirt, circumscribe, define, delineate, demarcate, outline, silhouette, sketch, trace, circle, compass, encircle, enclose, environ, girdle, girth, loop, ring, round, surround, wall, check, confine, control, curb, limit, restrain, restrict

Related Entry: Hem (in) (verb)

Hem (in) is a different word from Hem. The synonyms below are for hem (in), not for hem.

  1. to close or shut in by or as if by barriers

    "a village hemmed in on all sides by mountains"

    similar: box (in), cage, closet, coop (up), corral, encage, encase, enclose, envelop, fence (in), hedge, house, immure, include, mew (up), pen, wall (in)
    related: bound, circumscribe, confine, contain, limit, restrict, encircle, encompass, enfold, enframe, enlace, frame, ring, surround, armor, cocoon, encapsulate, encapsule, encyst, ensheathe, ensphere, enwomb

Related Entry: Hem and haw (phrase)

Hem and haw is a different word from Hem. The synonyms below are for hem and haw, not for hem.

  1. to avoid giving a definite answer or position

    "He kept hemming and hawing and I couldn't get a straight answer."

    similar: equivocate, fudge, hedge, pussyfoot, tergiversate, waffle, weasel, beat around the bush, straddle the fence
    related: flip-flop, yo-yo, dodge, duck, elude, eschew, evade, shake, shirk, shun, sidestep, skirt, bypass, circumvent, cavil, quibble, straddle

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Hem

The most common words with a similar meaning to Hem:

border, borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge, edging, end, frame, fringe, margin, perimeter, periphery, rim, skirt, skirting, verge, haw, balance, dither, falter, halt, hang back, hesitate, scruple, shilly-shally, stagger, teeter, vacillate, waver, wobble, dally, dawdle, delay, linger, pause, procrastinate

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Hem

Words with the opposite meaning of Hem:

dive (in), plunge (in), decide, budge, stir, advance, continue

Related Words for Hem

ambit, brink, crest, cusp, lip, ceiling, maximum, demarcation, extent, limitation, measure, mere, restriction, termination, borderland, frontier, march, outskirts, pale, selvage, lap, shore

Near Antonyms of Hem

center, core, heart, inner, inside, interior, middle, within

Word Forms of Hem

Inflections: hemmed, hemming

Derived words: hemmer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Hem

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German hemmen to hem in, Armenian kamel to press

First known use: before 12th century

Words & Phrases Containing Hem

hem-, hem and haw

Frequently Asked Questions about Hem

What does "Hem" mean?

"Hem" means a border of a cloth article doubled back and stitched down. As an a noun, a verb and an interjection, it is defined as: a border of a cloth article doubled back and stitched down. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Hem"?

Other words for "Hem" include border, borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass and confines. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Hem" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Hem"?

There are 103 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Hem". Common alternatives include border, borderline, bound, boundary, brim, circumference, compass, confines, edge and edging.

What is the opposite of "Hem"?

Antonyms of "Hem" include dive (in), plunge (in), decide, budge, stir, advance and continue. Near antonyms include center, core, heart and inner.

How do you use "Hem" in a sentence?

Examples of "Hem" in a sentence: "the hem of the blouse was gold".

Is "Hem" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Hem" can be used as a noun, a verb and an interjection, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Hem"?

"Hem" is pronounced /ˈhem/.

What is the origin of the word "Hem"?

"Hem" comes from Middle English, from Old English; akin to Middle High German hemmen to hem in, Armenian kamel to press. First known use: before 12th century.