grumble

American  

[gruhm-buhl] / ˈgrʌm bəl /

verb (used without object)

grumbled, grumbling

1. to murmur or mutter in discontent; complain sullenly.

   Tim always found something to grumble about.

2. to utter low, indistinct sounds; growl.

   Suddenly I heard my stomach grumble, and realized I hadn't had any lunch.

3. to rumble.

   The thunder grumbled in the west.

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verb (used with object)

grumbled, grumbling

1. to express or utter with murmuring or complaining.

noun

1. an expression of discontent; complaint; unhappy murmur; growl.

2. grumbles, a grumbling, discontented mood.

3. a rumble.

grumble British  

/ ˈɡrʌmbəl /

verb

1. to utter (complaints) in a nagging or discontented way

2. (intr) to make low dull rumbling sounds

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noun

1. a complaint; grouse

2. a low rumbling sound

Related Words

See complain.

Other Word Forms

• grumbler noun
• grumblingly adverb
• grumbly adjective
• ungrumbling adjective

Etymology

Origin of grumble

First recorded in 1580–90; perhaps frequentative of Old English grymman “to wail”; compare Dutch grommelen, German grummeln, French grommeler (from Germanic )

Example Sentences

Germany could still invoke its equivalent of antitrust curbs to block the deal but will likely content itself with “grumbles in the body politic,” Bruegel’s Veron predicts.

From Barron's

My mom grumbled it was like the House of Stray Cats, folks using their nine lives.

From Literature

He grumbles, but takes it before he flies out the door, shoes in his other hand.

From Literature

Clare thought it was joyful and lovely, though Brickbane had always grumbled about it, for it made the book fat and sticky.

From Literature

A team’s devoted followers may grumble, but their complaints rarely rise to the level of the hubbub around must-see tours, from Bruce Springsteen to Oasis.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• carp
• fuss
• gripe
• groan
• moan
• squawk