mumble

[ muhm-buhl ]

verb (used without object)

, mum·bled, mum·bling.

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)

, mum·bled, mum·bling.

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

Derived Forms

• ˈmumbler, noun
• ˈmumblingly, adverb
• ˈmumbling, adjective

Other Words From

• mumbler noun
• mumbling·ly adverb
• half-mumbled adjective
• un·mumbled adjective
• un·mumbling 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

This quarterback was not the same one that had mumbled through his first meeting with the media months earlier.

From Los Angeles Times

In his last few public engagements, he has wandered off-target, mumbled incoherently and danced for 39 minutes in a manner that even had his supporters wondering what was wrong with him.

From Salon

I think she would be a disaster for this country, just listening to her mumble and evade.

From BBC

Meanwhile, my worthless partner just mumbled that I should “Forget it, go back to sleep, it’s fine.”

From Los Angeles Times

This wasn’t cause for concern — a lot of students mumble.

From Salon

Related Words

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