filler

(noun)

A sound or word that is spoken in conversation by one participant to signal to others that he/she has paused to think but is not yet finished speaking.

Related Terms

Examples of filler in the following topics:

  • Pauses

    • A speaker may use pauses to enhance the message delivery; a speaker may also user filler words and pauses that distract from the message.
    • Different languages have different characteristic filler sounds.
    • The most common filler sounds in English are: uh /ə/, er /ɚ/, and um /əm/.
    • Today's youth uses other fillers.
    • Record a conversation and count the use of unnecessary pauses and filler words in relation to the other words in the speech.