mumble

verb

mum·​ble ˈməm-bəl 

mumbled; mumbling ˈməm-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to utter words in a low confused indistinct manner : mutter

transitive verb

1

: to utter with a low inarticulate voice

2

: to chew or bite with or as if with toothless gums

mumble noun

mumbler

ˈməm-b(ə-)lər 

noun

mumbly

ˈməm-b(ə-)lē 

adjective

Synonyms

• chunter [British]
• grunt
• mouth
• murmur
• mutter

Examples of mumble in a Sentence

He mumbled something and then left.

He mumbled “Goodbye” and then left.

I can't understand you when you mumble.

Recent Examples on the Web

The two haggard fighters trade punches throughout the 15th and final round, mumbling promises to each other that there will be no re-match, and the bell rings, both men barely upright, but having survived. —Brendan Leonard, Outside Online, 5 Nov. 2024

But Pippa ignores her friend’s request, sneaks out of the room, and tiptoes downstairs to find Naomi, who is mumbling something about missing jammy dodgers. —Fletcher Peters, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2024

Another guy mumbled to himself, squatting on cardboard in front of a bank. —Joshua Cohen, The New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2024

This female victim, however, was being particularly combative, struggling to free her arms from the straps and mumbling incoherently. —Rick Jervis, USA TODAY, 30 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English momelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing mumble

• mumble peg
• mumble-the-peg

Kids Definition

mumble

1 of 2 verb

mum·​ble

ˈməm-bəl

mumbled; mumbling

-b(ə-)liŋ

1

: to speak softly and unclearly

2

: to eat with or as if with toothless gums

a baby mumbling its food

mumbler

-b(ə-)lər

noun

mumbly

-b(ə-)lē

adjective

mumble

2 of 2 noun

: speech that is not clear enough to be understood