What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
susurrus
Example
The susurrus of the leaves in the forest was calming. [susurrus: noun]
Example
She spoke in a susurrus voice so as not to wake the baby. [susurrus: adjective]
mutter
Example
He muttered under his breath about the slow service at the restaurant. [muttered: verb]
Example
She gave a mutter of agreement before returning to her book. [mutter: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Mutter is more commonly used than susurrus in everyday language. Mutter is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while susurrus is less common and refers to a specific type of sound.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between susurrus and mutter?
While susurrus is typically associated with a formal or poetic tone, mutter is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.