mutter

[muht-er]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR mutter ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (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)

to utter indistinctly or in a low tone: to mutter complaints.

noun

the act or utterance of a person who mutters.

Nearby words

Origin of mutter

1325–75; Middle English moteren, perhaps frequentative of moot¹ (Old English mōtian to speak); see -er⁶

SYNONYMS FOR mutter

1. See murmur.

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Related forms

mut·ter·er, nounmut·ter·ing·ly, adverbun·mut·tered, adjectiveun·mut·ter·ing, adjective

un·mut·ter·ing·ly, adverb

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

Examples from the Web for muttered

"That was crazy," Lynn Jenkins of Kansas muttered to another member as she walked to greet Boehner.
Democrats Accidentally Save Boehner From Republican Coup|Ben Jacobs, Jackie Kucinich|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Nonsense,” muttered Hawberk, searching on the floor for a fallen rivet.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“We are now in communication with ten thousand men,” he muttered.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The scolloped tatters of the King in Yellow must hide Yhtill forever,” he muttered, but I do not believe Vance heard him.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

And as I lay and tossed about, the voice in my ears seemed more distinct, and I began to understand the words he had muttered.
Read ‘The King in Yellow,’ the ‘True Detective’ Reference That’s the Key to the Show|Robert W. Chambers|February 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
"Let them hate, if they fear us as well," muttered Gregory poring over the mysterious phrases.
Masters of the Guild|L. Lamprey
“That foolish fellow is going to be late,” he muttered, glancing over his paper at the clock on the chimney-piece.
Post Haste|R.M. Ballantyne
Theyre wise dogs, he muttered, but not wise enough to know the trails end.
The Lady of North Star|Ottwell J. Binns
"I jumped—but I didn't jump quick enough," he muttered thickly.
The Quirt|B.M. Bower
Jonas muttered something to himself, when he saw him sitting up beneath the hedge, looking vacantly around.
Life And Adventures Of Martin Chuzzlewit|Charles Dickens

British Dictionary definitions for muttered

mutter

verb

to utter (something) in a low and indistinct tone

(intr) to grumble or complain

(intr) to make a low continuous murmuring sound

noun

a muttered sound or complaint

Derived Formsmutterer, nounmuttering, noun, adjectivemutteringly, adverb

Word Origin for mutter

C14 moteren; related to Norwegian (dialect) mutra, Old High German mutilōn; compare Old English mōtian to speak

Mutter

noun

Anne-Sophie. born 1963, German violinist

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 muttered

mutter

early 14c., moteren "to mumble," from a common PIE imitative *mut- "to grunt, mutter" (cf. Old Norse muðla "to murmur," Latin muttire "to mutter," Old High German mutilon "to murmur, mutter; to drizzle"), with frequentative suffix -er. Related: Muttered; muttering.

mutter

1630s, from mutter (v.).

mutter

verb (used without object)

verb (used with object)

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of mutter

Examples from the Web for muttered

mutter

verb

noun

Word Origin for mutter

Mutter

noun

mutter

mutter