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

Kodak Black ain’t just mumble rap talking about drugs and killing. —Michael Saponara, Billboard, 12 June 2024

At the scene, officers found Felix on the front porch of the residence reportedly mumbling loudly and acting erratically, Devlin wrote in his report. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 30 May 2024

In my younger days, maybe someone would mumble a reply, avert their eyes and move on. —Peter Jensen, Baltimore Sun, 28 Feb. 2024

The man held a coat draped over his head and mumbled about spare change before sitting on a curb nearby. —Christina Goldbaum, New York Times, 19 May 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