grumble

[ gruhm-buh l ]

/ ˈgrʌm bəl /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR grumble ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used without object), grum·bled, grum·bling.

to murmur or mutter in discontent; complain sullenly.

to utter low, indistinct sounds; growl.

to rumble: The thunder grumbled in the west.

verb (used with object), grum·bled, grum·bling.

to express or utter with murmuring or complaining.

noun

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

grumbles, a grumbling, discontented mood.

a rumble.

Nearby words

Origin of grumble

1580–90; perhaps frequentative of Old English grymman to wail; compare Dutch grommelen, German grummeln, French grommeler (< Gmc)

Related formsgrum·bler, noungrum·bling·ly, adverbgrum·bly, adjectiveun·grum·bling, adjective

Synonym study

1. See complain.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for grumbling

Spall plays him brilliantly as a grumbling, grunting beast of a man whose sensitivity and kindness emerges slowly.
Mike Leigh Is the Master Filmmaker Who Hates Hollywood|Nico Hines|October 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now the grumbling is getting louder—and increasingly it focuses on the president himself.
Don’t Call It a Frum-Back: What’s Changed After Three Months Away|David Frum|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Liberals have been grumbling for a while about the Obama administration.
Don’t Call It a Frum-Back: What’s Changed After Three Months Away|David Frum|September 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Spitzer rolled his eyes at the interruption, grumbling a perfunctory “very funny.”
Eliot Spitzer Mobbed by Press, Heckled at First Campaign Stop|David Freedlander|July 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

This came after months of grumbling about disappointing iPhone sales, and reports of a possibly too-small opening in China.
Why Apple’s Stock Is Down|Matthew Zeitlin|January 14, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As I was going forward after dinner, the cook stopped me, and told me the men were grumbling at the provisions.
The Wreck of the Grosvenor, Volume 1 of 3|William Clark Russell
Back at the ranch the Mexican vaqueros lounged about, grumbling.
The Mucker|Edgar Rice Burroughs
The boy disappeared upon this, grumbling sulkily; and Sigismund opened a door leading into a parlour.
The Doctor's Wife|M. E. Braddon
She was grumbling when she reappeared in the door, after putting down her pails.
Original Short Stories, Volume 7 (of 13)|Guy de Maupassant
When there is no work about there is plenty of grumbling among labourers; and no wonder, for if they don't work, how can they eat?
The Cornish Fishermen's Watch Night and Other Stories|Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for grumbling

grumble

/ (ˈɡrʌmbəl) /

verb

to utter (complaints) in a nagging or discontented way

(intr) to make low dull rumbling sounds

noun

a complaint; grouse

a low rumbling sound

Derived Formsgrumbler, noungrumblingly, adverbgrumbly, adjective

Word Origin for grumble

C16: from Middle Low German grommelen, of Germanic origin; see grim

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for grumbling

grumble

1580s, from Middle French grommeler "mutter between the teeth" or directly from Middle Dutch grommelen "murmur, mutter, grunt," from grommen "to rumble, growl." Imitative, or perhaps akin to grim. Related: Grumbled; grumbling.

grumble

1620s, from grumble (v.).

grumble

verb (used without object), grum·bled, grum·bling.

verb (used with object), grum·bled, grum·bling.

noun

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of grumble

Synonym study

Examples from the Web for grumbling

grumble

verb

noun

Word Origin for grumble

grumble

grumble