Filler

Filler is a general term used to describe a substance, material, or content added to something to occupy space, add weight, or replace missing parts. The exact meaning depends on the field, but common themes include space-filling, cost reduction, or temporary delay of final content.

In linguistics and everyday speech, fillers are words, sounds, or gestures that fill pauses or smooth transitions in conversation. Common examples include uh, um, er, and you know. They do not carry substantive semantic content but can aid turn-taking, indicate hesitation, or help speakers organize thoughts. Filler usage varies by language and culture, and excessive filling can affect perceived fluency and clarity.

In materials science and manufacturing, fillers are substances added to a base material to increase volume, lower cost, or modify properties such as density, stiffness, or viscosity. Common fillers include calcium carbonate, talc, and silica in plastics, rubbers, or ceramics. Fillers can influence mechanical strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal behavior, and their choice depends on desired performance and processing conditions. They may also affect recyclability and workability.

In cosmetic medicine, dermal fillers are injectable substances used to restore facial volume, smooth wrinkles, or augment features. Materials include hyaluronic acid, calcium hydroxylapatite, and poly-L-lactic acid. Effects are typically temporary, requiring repeated treatments. Risks include swelling, bruising, and, rarely, infection or vascular compromise; suitability varies by patient and product.

In media and entertainment, filler refers to non-essential content added to extend runtime or pad storylines, such as episodes or scenes that do not advance the main plot. Filler can fulfill scheduling needs but is often criticized for reducing narrative tightness.

In publishing and typography, filler text or placeholders such as Lorem ipsum are used to simulate how content will look in a layout before actual copy is available. This helps with design and typesetting without relying on meaningful text.