umms

Filler sounds spoken

Umms is a verb meaning to make hesitation sounds while speaking, filling pauses with "um" or similar vocalizations: He ummed and ahhed for a minute before answering.

The word captures the act of stalling verbally while thinking, often suggesting uncertainty or reluctance to commit to a response.

filler

uh

Vocalized hesitation marker

  • erSpoken filler noise
  • ahExclamation of realization
  • likeComparable to, or enjoy

you know · well · so · I mean · basically · actually · literally · right · okay · interjection

hesitation

stammer

Speak with involuntary repetitions

stumble · fumble · pause · awkward · nervous · inarticulate · tongue-tied · halting · groping · struggling

uncertainty

doubt

Lack of firm belief

unclear · equivocating · hedging · noncommittal · indecisive · wavering · ambivalent · questioning · wondering · puzzled

thinking

pondering

Thinking deeply about something

searching · recalling · remembering · gathering thoughts · word-finding · concentration · deliberation · reflection · working out · figuring

Opposites
speech fluency

ummsfluency

Smooth linguistic command

eloquence · prepared remarks · oratory · well-spoken · silver tongue

verbal content

ummsprecise language

Exact, unambiguous expression

direct speech

communicative clarity

ummsclear articulation

Distinct, intelligible speech

silence

Family

umm, umming, ummed

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Everyday, not technical · Rated G