mumble

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

Synonyms of mumble

• mutter

Examples of mumble in a Sentence

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

Gilbert, now imprisoned at Clinton Correctional Facility in upstate New York, appeared gaunt and withdrawn during the interview, at times mumbling short responses before abruptly cutting the conversation short.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

The crowd mumbled and shifted as the sinker came slicing downward at impossible speed, arms and legs pinned tight, chin tucked under a matte black helmet. —Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 May 2026

In the video, Peters is seen taking a swig of an unknown substance and then subsequently starting to mumble, sway and close his eyes as the camera panned away. —Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

At last, Henley mumbled something. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 1 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English momelen, of imitative origin

First Known Use

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