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
I couldn't understand what she was saying because she was mumbling. [mumbling: gerund or present participle]
mutter
Example
She muttered something under her breath as she walked away. [mutter: verb]
Example
He was muttering to himself about the poor service at the restaurant. [muttering: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mumble and mutter are both commonly used in everyday language, but mumble is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of contexts, while mutter is more specific and often used to express dissatisfaction or discontent.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between mumble and mutter?
Both mumble and mutter are informal words that are typically used in casual conversation rather than formal writing or speech.
