mm-hmm

Nodding while chewing

Mm-hmm is a vocal affirmation made with closed lips, indicating agreement, acknowledgment, or that one is listening: Mm-hmm, I see what you mean.

The tone matters—a rising pitch suggests genuine agreement, while a flat or descending tone can signal distracted listening or skepticism.

Also spelled mmhmm, mm-hm, or mhm.

agreement

yes

Opposite of no

affirmativeExpressing agreement or consent
okayAdequate or permitted
rightMorally proper or entitled

correct · understood · indeed · exactly · absolutely · certainly · uh-huh · yep · sure · agreed

listening

attentive

Paying close notice

engagedPledged to marry
followingComing after another
trackingMonitoring location over time

present · hearing · processing · receptive · acknowledging · responsive · aware · focused · interested · encouraging

skeptical

doubtful

Uncertain of truth

unconvincedNot yet believing
suspiciousInclined to distrust
disbelievingRefusing to accept something

questioning · dubious · cynical · sarcastic · dismissive · unimpressed · wary · hesitant · reserved · guarded

distracted

absent

Not in attendance

preoccupiedMentally elsewhere, not present
inattentiveNot paying attention
half-listeningAttention split, catching fragments

zoned-out · autopilot · multitasking · unfocused · disengaged · mechanical · automatic · habitual · reflexive · mindless

Categories

affirmativesyes, yeah, yep, yup, absolutely
interjectionsah, hey, aha, sheesh, oh
fillersfiller, gap filler, filler material, caulk, grout
listener responsesuh-huh, yeah, yes, right, okay
backchannelsuh-huh, yeah, okay, I see, right
agreementagree, accord, yes, yeah, yep

Opposites

agreement/affirmation

mm-hmmuh-uh

Informal vocal negative

mm-mm · nuh-uh · nope · no · nah

engagement/attention

Total lack of sound

whatever · huh · meh · so what · who cares

communication mode

mm-hmmyes

Opposite of no

absolutely · indeed · affirmative · certainly · I agree

Family

Familiarity: Top 50,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G