uhh

Uh h, or uh, is an interjection used in English-language speech to signal hesitation, uncertainty, or a moment of thinking while the speaker searches for words. It functions as a discourse filler rather than carrying lexical meaning, helping to manage turn-taking, buy speaking time, or soften a forthcoming statement. In transcripts and dialogue, its presence can convey natural speech rhythms and the speaker’s attentional state.

Phonetics and orthography vary. The sound is typically represented in writing as "uh" or extended as "uhh," "uhhh," etc., reflecting longer pauses or stronger hesitation in the spoken form. Pronunciation can differ by dialect and context, often involving a neutral vowel or a reduced, centralized sound. The choice of spelling in writing is often guided by the desired strength of hesitation or the stylistic conventions of the text.

In linguistics, uh is examined as a discourse marker or filler. It helps speakers pace interaction, signal uncertainty without rejecting the upcoming idea, and can mitigate assertiveness. Its use interacts with prosody, tempo, and turn-taking norms, and it may convey politeness or hedging in sensitive situations.

Cross-linguistically, many languages have similar hesitation fillers (for example, um in English, eh or hm in other languages). While uh is widely used in informal speech and writing, some editors and style guides discourage frequent or gratuitous use in formal contexts.

In contemporary writing and online communication, uh can appear for realism in dialogue or for humorous effect. Its presence is generally understood by readers as a natural feature of spoken language, not as a substantive word with semantic content.