grumble

[ gruhm-buhl ]
See synonyms for: grumblegrumbledgrumblinggrumbler on Thesaurus.com

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

  1. to rumble: The thunder grumbled in the west.

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

  1. a rumble.

Origin of grumble

1
First recorded in 1580–90; perhaps frequentative of Old English grymman “to wail”; compare Dutch grommelen, German grummeln, French grommeler (from Germanic )

synonym study For grumble

1. See complain.

Other words from grumble

  • grumbler, noun
  • grum·bling·ly, adverb
  • grumbly, adjective
  • un·grum·bling, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use grumble in a sentence

  • 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 | THE DAILY BEAST
  • In spite of this there was no grumbling, and the men, as their general reported, pressed on with cries of "Vive la Rpublique!"

    Napoleon's Marshals | R. P. Dunn-Pattison
  • Meanwhile, both the disciples of Somers and the disciples of Trenchard were grumbling at Harley's resolution.

  • The owner of the slippers was folding the robe and laying it over the rail, and grumbling to himself all the while.

    Cabin Fever | B. M. Bower
  • That was all the comfort she gave Norman, and she walked in to pour out a furious grumbling upon Margaret.

    The Daisy Chain | Charlotte Yonge
  • He came opposite, lurched almost on them, touched them with a groping hand and passed, grumbling.

    The Woman Gives | Owen Johnson

British Dictionary definitions for grumble

grumble

/ (ˈɡrʌmbəl) /


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

  2. (intr) to make low dull rumbling sounds

noun
  1. a complaint; grouse

  2. a low rumbling sound

Origin of grumble

1
C16: from Middle Low German grommelen, of Germanic origin; see grim

Derived forms of grumble

  • grumbler, noun
  • grumblingly, adverb
  • grumbly, adjective

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