mumble

[muhm-buhl]

verb (used without object)

mumbled, mumbling 

1. to speak in a low indistinct manner, almost to an unintelligible extent; mutter.

   Antonyms: articulate

2. to chew ineffectively, as from loss of teeth.

   to mumble on a crust.

verb (used with object)

mumbled, mumbling 

1. to say or utter indistinctly, as with partly closed lips.

   He mumbled something about expenses.

2. to chew, or try to eat, with difficulty, as from loss of teeth.

noun

1. a low, indistinct utterance or sound.

mumble

/ ˈmʌmbəl /

verb

1. to utter indistinctly, as with the mouth partly closed; mutter

2. rare,  to chew (food) ineffectually or with difficulty

noun

1. an indistinct or low utterance or sound

Other Word Forms

• mumbler noun
• mumblingly adverb
• mumbling adjective
• half-mumbled adjective
• unmumbled adjective
• unmumbling adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mumble¹

1275–1325; Middle English momelen, equivalent to mom ( me ) mum ¹ + -elen -le; compare Dutch mommelen, German mummeln

Word History and Origins

Origin of mumble¹

C14 momelen, from _mum ²

Synonym Study

See murmur.

Example Sentences

“I got what I wanted,” the singer mumbled, by his brother’s account.

From Los Angeles Times

The people in shot mumbled and were drowned out by a blaring TV.

From BBC

After a period dominated by the mumbled bars of Souncloud rap, her precision was a breath of fresh air.

From BBC

Stone came on stage 3½ hours late, and when he talked, he either mumbled or stopped in the middle of sentences.

From Los Angeles Times

He mumbled through his media briefing, giving very short answers, if he answered questions at all, before excusing himself after a couple of minutes.

From BBC

Related Words

• grumble 
• murmur 
• mutter 
• ramble 
• rumble 
• stammer 
• stutter 
• utter 
• whisper