uh-uh

See also: uhuh and uh uh

English

Alternative forms

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.[1] Compare also um used to indicate hesitation. Attested from 1888.[2]

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

References
  1. John Algeo (2009) The Origins and Development of the English Language
  2. “uh-uh”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.

Anagrams
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