What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
mumble
Example
He tends to mumble when he's nervous. [mumble: verb]
Example
She spoke in a mumble, making it hard to hear what she was saying. [mumble: noun]
grumble
Example
He grumbled about the long wait at the doctor's office. [grumbled: verb]
Example
The grumble of thunder could be heard in the distance. [grumble: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grumble is more commonly used than mumble in everyday language. Grumble is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while mumble is less common and refers to a specific type of speech.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mumble and grumble?
Both mumble and grumble are informal words, but grumble can be used in more formal contexts to express mild dissatisfaction or annoyance.
