ehhh
1
9.9
A sound people make to show they do not hear or understand
- interjection
- /ɛh/
- Informal
:
ehhh
- When I was a senior English major, I wrote my thesis on gender roles and reversals in Jane Eyre, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit, Two Women in One, and The Woman Warrior (ehhh... I probably picked too many books to compare).
Examples
-
"Ehhh," said her father, "what is this?"
-
Hey, Gus, do you think you should show Kirk that map? He didn't know what it was. Ehhh.
-
(Gameshow "Thinking" music) - How many eggs in a dozen? - Sonic: Ehhh! Ooh, sorry, time's up.
Synonyms
∞
8.0
A short sound that shows you do not understand or are surprised
is used mainly to indicate not hearing and to ask for repetition
61
9.9
A short informal word people say to show surprise or ask someone to repeat
is reserved for indicating lack of hearing and requesting repetition
4
9.9
A short sound you make to show confusion or ask someone to repeat
is used specifically to indicate misunderstanding and to ask for repetition
2
9.9
A sound people make to ask someone to repeat what they said
is used specifically to request repetition rather than merely signal not hearing
How Direct
Surface Forms
ehhh main
Etymology
Ehhh is also an asking sound, like huh or the short 'pardon?', used when you did not hear or understand someone. So, saying ehhh asks the speaker to say it again or speak more clearly.