mutter Hear it!

mutter Definition

mut·ter (mutər)

intransitive verb

  1. to speak in low, indistinct tones without much movement of the lips, as in complaining or in speaking to oneself
  2. to complain or grumble
  3. to make a low, rumbling, threatening sound, as thunder

Etymology: ME moteren, akin to Ger muttern, ult. < IE echoic base *mu- (see mope) > L muttire

transitive verb

to say in low, indistinct, often angry or discontented, tones

noun

  1. the act of muttering
  2. something muttered; esp., a complaint or grumble

mutter Related Forms
mut·terer noun
mutter Synonyms

mutter

v.

  1. To speak as if to oneself

    mumble, murmur, grunt, grumble, sputter, whisper, speak sotto voce (Italian), speak in an undertone, say to oneself, speak under one's breath, swallow one's words; see also mumble, utter.

  2. To complain

    grumble, moan, groan, grouse*; see complain 1. See syn. study at mumble.

mutter Usage Examples

Preposition: about

  • people: CC whimpered a bit, and muttered about people having far too good memories.

Object

  • incantation: These were entwined about the affected part and an incantation muttered over the patient three times.
  • expletive: As I looked at him and muttered a few expletives, Ken realized his air was off as well.
  • curse: Bodie, unprepared for his partner's sudden stop, crashed into his back with a muttered curse.
  • oath: Putting the gun away with a muttered oath, she whispered, " What are you doing, Fangs?
  • something: He muttered something to himself, about being stupid.
  • remark: He looked at the man for a moment, and then his muttered remark, " Drunk as a fiddler!

Converse of object

  • hear: An isolated case, I hear the new public management enthusiasts mutter.

Adjective modifier

  • old: But one of the old men mutters, And pushes his plate aside: " Great God!

Modifies a noun

  • something: Carlotta mutters something in Spanish about the wrong side of the road.

Modifying Another Word

  • darkly: Muttering darkly about sabotage, they rejoined the rest of the fleet in time for the ten-minute gun for the second race.
  • again: Then, pulling himself together, he stepped forward, muttering again: " Must take my dose like a man.
  • still: Years earlier had blackened as they idea still muttered.
  • then: He then muttered that it was not easy riding such a distance ahead of the peloton.
  • about: Police muttered about breach of the peace but no one was breaking the law so nothing could be done.
  • much: The lifts at Euston were broken - much muttering from other travelers.

Followed by an intransitive particle

  • over: While muttering over our dinner how terrible world hunger is, we condone the system that perpetuates it by not acting to change it.

Noun used with modifier

  • man: One man mutters " [ well it's ] good for Bush " , evidently not thrilled.
  • tongue: Verse 3b: Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
  • woman: A woman mutters something about permanence and my head floats several inches from where it should be.

Browse dictionary entries near mutter

  1. mutt
  2. Mutsuhito
  3. muton
  4. mutism
  5. mutiny
  6. mutinous
  7. mutineer
  8. mutilated
  9. mutilate
  10. muticous
  1. mutton
  2. mutton chop
  3. muttonhead
  4. Muttra
  5. mutual
  6. mutual fund
  7. mutual mistake
  8. mutual savings bank
  9. mutualism
  10. mutuality