English Explanatory Dictionary

mumble

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To speak unintelligibly or inaudibly; to fail to articulate.
  2. To chew something gently with closed lips.
noun
  1. A quiet or unintelligible vocalization; a low tone of voice.

Pronunciation

/ˈmʌmbəl/ en-us-mumble.ogg /ˈmʊmbəl/

Word forms

mumble mumbles mumbling mumbled

Etymology

From Middle English momelen, a frequentative of mum (sense 3) (“silent”). Compare German mümmeln, Middle Dutch mommelen and Dutch mompelen. Perhaps related to Norwegian Nynorsk mumpa (“to gum, to chew without teeth”).

Derived words

jerrycummumble mismumble mumblage mumblecore mumble-matins mumblement mumblenews mumbler mumble rap mumblesome mumblety peg mumblingly mumbly mumble-bee
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