uh

Uh is an interjection used in everyday speech to signal hesitation, uncertainty, or a brief pause while the speaker plans what to say next. It functions as a discourse marker that helps manage turn-taking and can soften statements or indicate provisional thinking.

Phonetics and transcription vary by dialect. In English, uh is typically realized as a very short, reduced vowel sound, often described as a schwa or near-central vowel, transcribed as [ə] or similar. The exact realization depends on tempo, emphasis, and regional speech patterns, and the sound is usually followed by a brief pause before continuing.

Lexical status and usage. Uh is not a word with lexical meaning; it is a filler used in spoken language and in transcripts to reflect natural speech. In formal writing, its use is generally avoided, though it may appear in quoted dialogue to convey realism or character voice. In discourse, it can signal uncertainty, buy time, or hedge a statement, and its frequency can reflect style, formality, and cognitive load.

Variations and cross-linguistic context. English also employs other fillers such as um, er, and hm, which differ in length and pragmatic function. Many languages have comparable hesitation sounds that serve similar purposes in conversation. Sociolinguistic factors—such as age, region, and formality—shape how often and in what contexts uh is used.

Computational and typographic use. In natural language processing, uh is treated as a non-lexical token reflected in transcripts to capture spontaneous speech. In digital communication and storytelling, its representation helps convey realism in dialogue, though overuse can undermine perceived fluency.