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

(informal) no
"Have you eaten yet?" "Uh-uh." "No way."

Antonyms

uh-huh

References

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

Anagrams

huhu

[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.

[1]

[2]