uh

Filler while thinking

Uh is a filler sound expressing hesitation, uncertainty, or the need to pause while thinking: Uh, I'm not sure about that.

It signals that the speaker is searching for words or deciding what to say.

Unlike um, which often precedes longer pauses, uh typically marks briefer hesitations.

filler

er

Spoken filler noise

likeComparable to, or enjoy
wellDug water source
y'knowConversational hedge phrase

so · I mean · basically · actually · hesitation · stalling · pause · interjection · verbal tic · speech disfluency

hesitation

pause

Temporary cessation of activity

uncertaintyState of being unsure
doubtLack of firm belief
indecisionFailure to decide

wavering · tentativeness · reluctance · faltering · stammering · second-guessing · dithering · equivocation · hedging · ambivalence

confusion

bewilderment

State of being baffled

puzzlementState of being baffled
disorientationLoss of spatial awareness
perplexityMental state of confusion

bafflement · lost · unclear · what · wait · blank · foggy · muddled · discombobulated · befuddled

surprise

shock

Violent sudden disturbance

startleFrighten suddenly
disbeliefRejection of truth claims
caught off guardSurprised when unprepared

unexpected · taken aback · whoa · wow · wait · double-take · speechless · stunned · jolted · blindsided

disgust

ew

Disgust exclamation

grossTotal before subtractions
yuckDisgust exclamation
unpleasantCausing discomfort or distaste

distaste · revulsion · cringe · squeamish · off-putting · nasty · icky · repulsed · queasy · disapproval

Categories

Short Wordsact, a, add, I, bat
everyday speechsmall talk, chitchat, chit-chat, chat, banter
filler phraseslike, you know, I mean, basically, just
interjectionshey, aha, sheesh, oh, alas
speech habitsmumbling, stuttering, stammering, rambling, interrupting
speech fillerser, hmm, like, you know, fillers

Opposites

speech fluency

Persuasive verbal grace

fluency · well-spoken · silver-tongued · glib · prepared remarks

communicative certainty

With complete certainty

certainly · absolutely · precisely · exactly · indeed

Phrases

uh ohExpression of dismay
uh huhInformal vocal affirmative

Family

uh-huh, huh, uh-oh, uh-uh

Familiarity: Top 10,000
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Everyday, not technical · Rated G