uh-huh

• uhhuh, uh huh, uhuh

Imitative of non-verbal sounds used to indicate agreement or to allow the speaker to continue talking. Compare synonymous mhm.

• IPA^(key): [ʌ˨ˈɦʌ˩˧]
• Both vowels may be nasalized; the [ɦ] may be a regular [h]; the pitch may show some variability; and occasionally, the first syllable may be stressed.

• Audio (Canada):

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• Audio (US):

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uh-huh

1. Yes; yeah.
   • 1914, Sinclair Lewis, Our Mr. Wrenn:

     "So? Lived there long?" "Uh-huh, I--" began Mr. Wrenn.

• "Uh-huh" can be used informally as an answer to a question.
• "Uh-huh" can be used to show disinterest or disbelief in answer to a statement in lieu of other similar statements such as "Whatever".
• "Uh-huh" is often said while someone else is talking, in order to show that the listener is still interested or agrees with what the speaker is saying (backchannelling).
• "Uh-huh" can serve as an informal reply to thanks or an expression of gratitude.
• "Uh-huh", in an elongated form, can be used to signify sarcastic agreement.

• mhm

• uh-uh

• yeah-huh

• John A. Simpson and Edmund S. C. Weiner, editors (1989), “uh-huh”, in The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, →ISBN.
• Rod Gardner (2001) When Listeners Talk
• John Algeo (2009) The Origins and Development of the English Language

• huh-uh