Filler (linguistics)

Filler words are words or phrases that we use to fill gaps in our speech. These words don't usually have any real meaning or purpose, but we use them when we're thinking of what to say next, or when we need a moment to collect our thoughts.

Some common filler words are "um," "uh," "like," "you know," and "well." When we use these words, it's like we're pressing a "pause" button on our conversation while we think about what to say next.

Filler words can be useful in small amounts, but if we use them too much, they can make us sound unsure or unconfident. It's important to practice speaking without using too many filler words, so that we can communicate clearly and effectively with others.