Dictionary

filler word en · NOUN

Meanings

1. A word used to fill space in conversation, especially when one is thinking or is uncertain.
   • Also known as discourse markers, filler words are what we use when we don’t know what else to say. More often than not, they’re unintentional; we use them subconsciously to fill the space or time while we prepare our main message. 2022 September 15, Matt Ellis, Grammarly Blog:
   • i love how your filler word isnt “like” or “um” its just “meow” 2023 December 20, @hazumiaileen, Twitter:
   • Instead, the speaker tries to fill the silence with unintelligible guttural sounds or meaningless words. Such noises are called filler words or vocalized pauses. 2020, Blake J. Neff, chapter 8, in Proclamation!, page 129:
   • One of the most frequent words we hear is the one we attach to nerves. This word is often described as a 'filler word'. For example, when we are asked to do something that makes us a little nervous […] all of a sudden, we notice we fill any pause or nervous point with our 'filler word'. For many people it is 'umm'; however, this differs with each person. 2021, Amy Jacobson, chapter 8, in Emotional Intelligence, page 92:

Forms

Synonyms

filled pause