mmhmm
Closed-mouth affirmation
Mmhmm is a vocal affirmation—a hum with closed lips that signals agreement, acknowledgment, or attentive listening.
It often means yes without interrupting: Mmhmm, I see what you mean.
The tone matters: drawn out, it shows genuine understanding; clipped or flat, it may signal disinterest or skepticism.
Brief head tilt
- uh-huhInformal vocal agreement
- listeningAttending to sound
- attentivePaying close notice
- hearingPerceiving sound waves
gotcha · following · receiving · registering · tracking · noted · continue · right
Opposite of no
- affirmativeExpressing agreement or consent
- indeedWord affirming emphasis
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
- certainlyWithout any doubt
definitely · concur · assent · approval · exactly · correct · true · agreed
Brief head tilt
- gruntLow guttural sound
- murmurSoft, indistinct continuous sound
- humLow steady sound
- vocalizationProducing sounds with voice
utterance · sound · interjection · backchannel · filler · response · cue · signal
Informal light conversation
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- informalRelaxed, not official
- colloquialCasual, everyday language
relaxed · friendly · easygoing · laid-back · rapport · everyday · natural · unscripted
nod
Brief head tilt
hearing · gotcha · following · receiving · registering · tracking · noted · continue · right · okay
yes
Opposite of no
- affirmativeExpressing agreement or consent
- indeedWord affirming emphasis
- absolutelyCompletely, without exception
certainly · definitely · concur · assent · approval · exactly · correct · true · agreed · right
nod
Brief head tilt
vocalization · utterance · sound · interjection · backchannel · filler · response · cue · signal · feedback
chitchat
Informal light conversation
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- informalRelaxed, not official
colloquial · relaxed · friendly · easygoing · laid-back · rapport · everyday · natural · unscripted
doubt
Lack of firm belief
irony · unconvinced · dubious · questioning · hesitant · wary · side-eye · eye-roll · whatever · really
- Communication AppsZoom, Skype, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, FaceTime
mmhmmsilence
Total lack of sound
ignoring · crickets · tuning out · whatever · disengagement
mmhmmyes
Opposite of no
absolutely · I agree · correct · that's right · exactly