uh-uh

See also: uhuh and uh uh

English

Alternative forms

• huh-uh
• uhuh

Etymology

Likely imitative of non-verbal sounds used to indicate disagreement or discomfort. Compare nope, wherein the -p may represent closure often uttered at the end of the word no. Compare also um used to indicate hesitation. Attested from 1888.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [ˈ(ʔ)ʌ̃˧.ʔʌ̃˩]

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• There is a glottal stop separating the two syllables. The second syllable has a lower tone. Both syllables are nasalized.

Interjection

uh-uh

1. (informal) no

   "Have you eaten yet?" "Uh-uh." "No way."

Antonyms

• uh-huh

Anagrams

• huhu