A plain definition
Filler words (sometimes called filled pauses or hesitation markers) are items like um, uh, and you know that do not add content. They buy time, mark a search for a word, or keep a listener from interrupting. In conversation they are useful. On a tutorial video they usually are not. “What are filler words?” is mostly asked by students, speakers, and editors who want a list — not a linguistics paper. The short list is below.
Filled pauses vs hedge phrases
Um and uh are filled pauses: they are almost never “real words” in the sentence. You know, I mean, kind of, sort of, like, and basically are hedges. Sometimes they are the point of the sentence (“I like this,” “it is kind of blue”). A dumb delete-all-likes pass wrecks meaning. This tool cuts like and basically only when nearby words show they are hedges, and it always lets you click a word to keep it.
Removing them from a recording vs stopping in real life
If you already have a take, cut the fillers in the file. That is what the tool on the homepage does. If you want fewer ums next time you speak, recording yourself and listening back is the usual advice — the how-to-stop page walks through that. Those are different jobs. Do not expect a video editor to train the habit, and do not expect a public-speaking tip to clean last Tuesday’s podcast.
Filler words and phrases this tool cuts
- um, umm, uhm
- uh, uhh
- er, erm
- ah, eh
- hmm, mm, mmm, mhm, huh
- you know
- I mean
- kind of
- sort of
- like (as a hedge, not “I like this”)
- basically (as a hedge)