eh

alternative ay · alternative ehh · alternative ehhh

1. AustraliaCanadaCommonwealthHong KongIndiaIrelandNew ZealandSingaporeSouth AfricaUKinformalUpper Midwestern USUsed as a tag question, to emphasise what goes before or to request that the listener express an opinion about what has been said.

   These hot dogs are pretty good, eh?

   1 more example

   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?

   1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick 16

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

   —I've been studying Graphiurus murinus. —Eh? Studying what?

   Synonyms: what, pardon, sorry, come again

3. In isolation, expressing surprise or confusion.

   —You're going to be a dad! —Eh? You're joking!

   Synonyms: what, wha, huh, za, sorry, come again

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

   I went to the restaurant, eh, but my friends didn't show up.

   Synonyms: y'know

5. Expressing apathy or lack of enthusiasm; meh.

   —Do you feel like going out tonight? —Eh, I don't know.

   1 more example

   “Look, Mom; I made the real rocket, based on the macaroni prototype!” “…Eh.”

   2010, Chris Renaud, Pierre Coffin, directors, Despicable Me

6. PhilippinesExpressing apprehension following or preceding a reasoning or excuse; uh.

   —Why is it like this? —Eh, It's like that eh.

present singular third person ehs · participle present ehing · participle past ehed · past ehed · alternative ay · alternative ehh · alternative ehhh

1. To use the interjection eh.

alternative ay · alternative ehh · alternative ehhh

1. informalnot comparablepredicativeOf mediocre quality; unremarkable.

   My French fries were eh.

alternative ay · alternative ay · alternative ehh · alternative ehhh

1. SingaporeSinglishimpoliteusuallyHey, oi; said to get someone's attention.
2. SingaporeAn interjection expressing disapproval.

   Eh, please don’t say that...

3. SingaporeHuh?; expresses confusion.

alternative misspelling aye · alternative ay · alternative ehh · alternative ehhh

1. Multicultural London EnglishSingaporeregional African-American Vernacularan attention grabber

   Eh, come here!

   2 more examples

   Eh, what do you have?

   E-, e-, eh, I'm on vacation / Every single day 'cause I love my occupation

   2017, Dirty Heads, Vacation

   Synonyms: hey, oi, I say

2. InternetSingaporeinformalA greeting between friends (typically male) or display of approval.

alternative ay · alternative ehh · alternative ehhh

1. CaribbeanSingaporeTrinidad and Tobagonot comparableUsed to negate the following verb; (am/are/is/do/does) not.

   And she: "Ay man, watch you one foot ass. Wen I want a man, I want a good man. Me eh want man like you."

   1972, Harold Sonny Ladoo, No Pain Like This Body, Toronto, Ont.: Anansi, →ISBN, page 73

alternative ay · alternative ehh · alternative ehhh

1. ManglishSingaporeSinglishalternativeAlternative form of leh.

1. redox potential (in volts).

1. abbreviationinitialismaeronauticsInitialism of Eastern Hemisphere (travel within or between IATA areas 2 and 3).

1. abbreviationinitialismnot comparableInitialism of emotionally handicapped.

1. abbreviationinitialismuncountableInitialism of epididymal hypertension.