mumble

1 of 2

verb

mum·​ble ˈməm-bəl 

mumbled; mumbling ˈməm-b(ə-)liŋ 

intransitive verb

: to utter words in a low confused indistinct manner : mutter

transitive verb

1

: to utter with a low inarticulate voice

2

: to chew or bite with or as if with toothless gums

mumble noun

mumbler

ˈməm-b(ə-)lər 

noun

mumbly

ˈməm-b(ə-)lē 

adjective

mumbler

2 of 2

noun

mum·​bler ˈməmb(ə)lə(r) 

plural -s

1

: one that mumbles

2

British : glassblower

Synonyms of mumble

Verb

• mutter

Examples of mumble in a Sentence

Verb

He mumbled something and then left.

He mumbled “Goodbye” and then left.

I can't understand you when you mumble.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Next up, maybe lawmakers can do something about overly soft, mumbling dialogue preceded by deafening explosions. — Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 25 June 2026

This succession was muddied thanks to the meddling of the King’s Hand, Otto Hightower, and the king’s own mumbled words on his deathbed to his wife, Alicent. — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026

Claiborne mumbled his responses to questions. — Alec Lewis, New York Times, 29 May 2026

Gilbert, now imprisoned at Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York, appeared gaunt and withdrawn during the interview, at times mumbling short responses before abruptly cutting the conversation short. — Stepheny Price, FOXNews.com, 27 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English momelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing mumble

• mumble peg
• mumble-the-peg

Rhymes for mumble

• bumble
• crumble
• fumble
• grumble
• humble
• jumble
• rumble
• stumble
• tumble
• umbel

Kids Definition

mumble

1 of 2 verb

mum·​ble

ˈməm-bəl

mumbled; mumbling

-b(ə-)liŋ

1

: to speak softly and unclearly

2

: to eat with or as if with toothless gums

a baby mumbling its food

mumbler

-b(ə-)lər

noun

mumbly

-b(ə-)lē

adjective

mumble

2 of 2 noun

: speech that is not clear enough to be understood