uh
UK: ʌ | US: ʌ
interj. an expression used to indicate hesitation, uncertainty, or a pause in speech
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"Uh" is a natural vocalization, classified as a filler word or speech disfluency. It arises spontaneously in spoken language across cultures, serving as a pragmatic tool to signal hesitation, thought processing, or a temporary lapse in speech. Unlike structured morphemes, it lacks a decomposable etymology and belongs to a category of instinctive human vocal sounds (like "um" or "er"). Linguists trace its documented use in English to the early 20th century, though similar sounds likely existed in oral communication for millennia.
"Uh, I’m not sure how to answer that."
"The meeting starts at—uh—around 3 PM."
"Uh… could you repeat the question?"
"She paused and said, 'Uh, let me think.'"
"Uh-oh, I think I forgot my keys."