Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

eh

/ɛ/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.26 in modern English

Syllables: eh
IPA: /ɛ/

5

Scrabble Score

2

Letters

1

Syllables

2

Unique Chars

Meaning

intj

Used as a tag question, to emphasise what goes before or to request that the listener express an opinion about what has been said.

Australian usage; Canadian usage; Indian usage; New Zealand usage; British usage; Informal

intj

In isolation, a request for repetition or clarification of what has just been said.

intj

In isolation, expressing surprise or confusion.

intj

An interjection used to ascertain the continued attention of someone addressed by the speaker.

Canadian usage

intj

Expressing apathy or lack of enthusiasm; meh.

intj

Expressing apprehension following or preceding a reasoning or excuse; uh.

verb

To use the interjection eh.

adj

Of mediocre quality; unremarkable.

Informal

Example Sentences

"These hot dogs are pretty good, eh?"
"Well, what dost thou think then of seeing the world? Do ye wish to go round Cape Horn to see any more of it, eh? Can’t ye see the world where you stand?"
"—I've been studying Graphiurus murinus. —Eh? Studying what?"
"—You're going to be a dad! —Eh? You're joking!"
"I went to the restaurant, eh, but my friends didn't show up."
"—Do you feel like going out tonight? —Eh, I don't know."

Etymology

Natural exclamation; first recorded mid-16th century. Perhaps an unstressed variant of aye (“yes, yeah”). The Philippine sense is possibly influenced by Tagalog e and/or Spanish eh.

Word Breakdown

Root: 欸, -

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ɛ/
British English: /ɛ/

Usage

Inflected Forms

ay (alternative) ehh (alternative) ehhh (alternative) ehs (present, singular) ehing (participle, present) ehed (participle, past) ehed (past) aye (alternative, misspelling)

Phrases

eh up eh eh eh

Frequently Paired Words

eh up eh eh eh

Synonyms

what pardon sorry come again wha huh za y'know hey oi I say

Homonyms

A

Rhymes With

heh ke yeh moshe leh hsieh pirouette reh bue sneh they me

Questions

How do you pronounce eh?: The recorded pronunciation is /ɛ/.
What does eh mean?: Used as a tag question, to emphasise what goes before or to request that the listener express an opinion about what has been said.
Where does eh come from?: Natural exclamation; first recorded mid-16th century. Perhaps an unstressed variant of aye (“yes, yeah”). The Philippine sense is possibly influenced by Tagalog e and/or Spanish eh.

How to pronounce eh

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “eh”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ɛ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “eh”.
Repeat and practice — Say “eh” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.