ENGLISH
REFERENCE

filler

n. C / U
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈfɪɫɝ// UK //fˈɪlɐ// filler

n. something used to fill a gap or space, often because there is not enough of the main material. In speaking, it refers to sounds like 'um' or 'uh' that you use while thinking.

n. a substance or item used to occupy space or increase bulk; in linguistics, a sound or word used to bridge pauses in speech without adding semantic content.


SIMPLE

He used a lot of 'um' sounds as a filler during his speech.

CONTEXTUAL

The contractor applied a wood filler to the cracks in the floor before sanding and staining the surface.

COMPLEX

While the lead single was a masterpiece, the rest of the album felt like filler, consisting of repetitive tracks that lacked the same creative depth.

Synonyms
Usage

Uncountable when referring to a bulk substance (like wall filler); countable when referring to specific linguistic units or media segments.

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