uh-uh

interjection

ᵊm

or ᵊn

repeated and preceded by glottal stops;

ˈəⁿ-ˌəⁿ

—used to indicate negation

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of uh-uh was in 1888

See more words from the same year

Browse Nearby Words

uh-oh

uh-uh

uhuru

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Uh-uh.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uh-uh. Accessed 15 Nov. 2025.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

radial

Listen to the pronunciation of radial

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Putting Adjectives in the Right Order

The Difference Between 'i.e.' and 'e.g.'

What’s the difference between ‘cemetery’ and ‘graveyard’?

Democracy or Republic: What's the difference?

Popular in Wordplay

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs

Birds Say the Darndest Things

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Better Ways to Say 'This Sucks'

Popular

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

Skibidi, Mog & More: Gen Alpha Slang

Ten More Words from Taylor Swift Songs