mumble Definition
- 1to speak or say something unclearly and quietly, making it difficult for others to hear or understand
- 2to chew food with a closed mouth, making a low, indistinct sound
Using mumble: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mumble" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
He mumbled something under his breath.
Example
She mumbled an apology.
Example
The old man mumbled incoherently.
Example
I can't understand what you're saying when you mumble like that.
mumble Synonyms and Antonyms
Idioms Using mumble
to speak or perform something poorly or without confidence, stumbling over words or actions
Example
Despite being nervous, she managed to mumble her way through the presentation.
to speak inaudibly or unclearly while offstage, typically used in theater productions
Example
The actor continued to mumble offstage, making it difficult for the audience to follow the plot.
Example
The garden was filled with the sounds of mumble bees as they collected nectar from the flowers.
Phrases with mumble
Example
The report was full of mumble jumble and didn't make any sense.
a style of rap music characterized by the rapper's delivery of lyrics in an intentionally slurred, hazy, and often unintelligible manner
Example
Mumble rap has become increasingly popular among young listeners.
mumblecore
a genre of low-budget independent films characterized by naturalistic acting, dialogue, and minimal plot
Example
The movie was a classic example of mumblecore, with its focus on everyday life and relationships.
Origins of mumble
from Middle English 'momelen', meaning 'to mumble'
Summary: mumble in Brief
The verb 'mumble' [ˈmʌmbəl] means to speak or say something unclearly and quietly, making it difficult for others to hear or understand. It can also refer to chewing food with a closed mouth, making a low, indistinct sound. The term extends into phrases like 'mumble jumble,' denoting confused and meaningless speech or writing, and idioms like 'mumble one's way through something,' implying poor performance or lack of confidence.
