mutter

Meaning

Noun

A repressed or obscure utterance; an instance of muttering.

Verb

1. To utter words, especially complaints or angry expressions, indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; to say under one's breath.
2. To speak softly and incoherently, or with imperfect articulations.
3. To make a sound with a low, rumbling noise.

Synonyms

murmur

mumble

grumble

babble

whisper

muttering

murmuring

growl

talk to oneself

grumbling

complain

chatter

burble

mumbling

mussitate

grouse

mussitation

gnarl

complaint

croak

disapprove

drone

grouch

hum

jabber

maunder

moan

purr

reproach

sigh

talk nonsense

murmuration

grumble to oneself

gab

find fault

croon

niggle

peep

prate

protest

breathe

repeat internally

roar

rumble

rustle

utter in a low voice

snarl

speak

🗣️

talk

🗣️

coo

Translations

murmurer

murmeln

mompelen

borbottare

marmonner

murmurar

mormorare

morren

mummelen

brommen

marmotter

murmurar

resmungar

murmurar

mascullar

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈmʌtə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: muteren

Cognate with Low German: mustern

Cognate with German: muttern

Cognate with Old Norse: muðla

Cognate with Latin: muttīre

In summary

From Middle English muteren, moteren, of imitative origin.
Compare Low German mustern, musseln (“to whisper”), German muttern (“to mutter; whisper”), Old Norse muðla (“to murmur”). Compare also Latin muttīre, mutīre.