What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
rumble
Example
The rumble of the train could be heard from miles away. [rumble: noun]
Example
The car's engine began to rumble as it drove down the bumpy road. [rumble: verb]
grumble
Example
He grumbled about the long wait at the doctor's office. [grumbled: verb]
Example
She had a grumble in her stomach after skipping breakfast. [grumble: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Grumble is more commonly used than rumble in everyday language. Grumble is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while rumble is less common and is mostly used to describe specific sounds.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between rumble and grumble?
Both rumble and grumble are relatively informal words, but rumble can be used in more technical or scientific contexts related to sound or vibration.
