um

UK: ʌm | US: ʌm

Definition

  1. interj. a vocalized pause or hesitation in speech, often indicating uncertainty or thoughtfulness.

Structure

No data yet.

Etymology

"Um" is an example of a natural speech disfluency, originating as an instinctive vocalization to signal hesitation or reflection. Unlike structured morphemes, it lacks a clear etymological breakdown and belongs to a class of filler sounds (like "uh" or "er") common across languages. Its spelling mimics the sound produced during pauses in spoken English.

Examples

  1. "Um, I’m not sure what to say next."

  2. She paused and said, "Um, let me think about that."

  3. "The answer is—um—probably around 50."

  4. "Um, could you repeat the question?"

  5. He filled the silence with an awkward "um."