mutter

American  

[muht-er] / ˈmʌt ər /

verb (used without object)

1. to utter words indistinctly or in a low tone, often as if talking to oneself; murmur.

2. to complain murmuringly; grumble.

3. to make a low, rumbling sound.

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verb (used with object)

1. to utter indistinctly or in a low tone.

   to mutter complaints.

noun

1. the act or utterance of a person who mutters.

mutter ¹ British  

/ ˈmʌtə /

verb

1. to utter (something) in a low and indistinct tone

2. (intr) to grumble or complain

3. (intr) to make a low continuous murmuring sound

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noun

1. a muttered sound or complaint

Mutter ² British  

/ ˈmʊtə /

noun

1. Anne-Sophie. born 1963, German violinist

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Related Words

See murmur.

Other Word Forms

• mutterer noun
• muttering noun
• mutteringly adverb
• unmuttered adjective
• unmuttering adjective
• unmutteringly adverb

Etymology

Origin of mutter

1325–75; Middle English moteren, perhaps frequentative of moot ( Old English mōtian to speak); -er ⁶

Example Sentences

There were mutterings in the tech sphere they couldn't afford the fight.

From BBC

You do, at times, hear deeply off-the-record mutterings from parts of German industry to this effect.

From BBC

His obvious affection for the animals was what touched us: as they went along he constantly muttered and fussed at them.

From Literature

The guardian doesn’t want us here,’ muttered the woman.

From Literature

The girls muttered a few more disparaging comments as they scuttled to get in order.

From Literature

Related Words

• complain
• groan
• growl
• moan
• murmur
• snarl
• sputter
• whisper