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

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

I clicked my heels together — I happened to be wearing red suede sneakers — and mumbled to myself: “There’s no place like a posh, membership-only holistic health club.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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