verb / noun

mumble

MUM-buhl/ˈmʌmbl/

Speech in a low voice that is hard to understand.

The woman mumbles while her listener leans closer to hear.

An older woman speaks with barely parted lips and lowered eyes while a nearby listener leans closer and cups an ear, trying to catch her quiet, unclear words.

Etymology

mumbleMiddle Englishto eat slowly and ineffectively

Momelen first described slow, ineffective eating, perhaps talking with one's mouth full, before denoting indistinct speech. It was probably a frequentative formation from mum, the closed-mouth sound.

In context

Enhanced Public Domain119:02

Mumble that funny word don't let the person catch it distinctly

1800s Philosophy: Mark Twain's Anti-Imperialist Writings (Audiobook)

More examples

He mumbled an apology that I could barely understand.
Her answer comes out as an unintelligible mumble.
Please don't mumble; I can't make out your words.

Forms

mumble · mumbles · mumbled · mumbling

Similar words

mutter: Often suggests irritation or speaking quietly to oneself.
whisper: Uses breath instead of voice and can be perfectly clear.