mutter
Americanverb (used without object)
-
to utter words indistinctly or in a low tone, often as if talking to oneself; murmur.
-
to complain murmuringly; grumble.
-
to make a low, rumbling sound.
verb (used with object)
noun
verb
-
to utter (something) in a low and indistinct tone
-
(intr) to grumble or complain
-
(intr) to make a low continuous murmuring sound
noun
noun
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The locals in their working-class part of the city of Sahiwal mutter that Zeba is living under a curse after her previous suitors died in mysterious circumstances.
From Barron's • Feb. 21, 2026
When Musk makes the same prediction, analysts roll their eyes and mutter about missed timelines.
From MarketWatch • Jan. 15, 2026
You’ll watch Rex Ryan pick apart your decisions and mutter to yourself: Rex Ryan?
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026
Their body language said what no one dared mutter publicly: “Here we go again.”
From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 27, 2024
“It doesn’t matter,” I mutter, moving quickly for the door.
From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
