mutter

[ muht-er ]

verb (used without object)

1. to utter words indistinctly or in a low tone, often as if talking to oneself; murmur.
2. to complain murmuringly; grumble.
3. to make a low, rumbling sound.

verb (used with object)

1. to utter indistinctly or in a low tone:

   to mutter complaints.

noun

1. the act or utterance of a person who mutters.

mutter

¹

/ ˈmʌtə /

verb

1. to utter (something) in a low and indistinct tone
2. intr to grumble or complain
3. intr to make a low continuous murmuring sound

noun

1. a muttered sound or complaint

Mutter

²

/ ˈmʊtə /

noun

1. MutterAnne-Sophie1963FGermanMUSIC: violinist Anne-Sophie. born 1963, German violinist

Derived Forms

• ˈmuttering, nounadjective
• ˈmutteringly, adverb
• ˈmutterer, noun

Other Words From

• mutter·er noun
• mutter·ing·ly adverb
• un·muttered adjective
• un·mutter·ing adjective
• un·mutter·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutter¹

1325–75; Middle English moteren, perhaps frequentative of moot ( Old English mōtian to speak); -er ⁶

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutter¹

C14 moteren; related to Norwegian (dialect) mutra, Old High German mutilōn; compare Old English mōtian to speak

Synonym Study

See murmur.

Related Words

• complain
• groan
• growl
• moan
• murmur
• snarl
• sputter
• whisper