MUTTER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does mutter mean? 

• MUTTER (noun)
  The noun MUTTER has 2 senses:

1. a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

2. a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone

  Familiarity information: MUTTER used as a noun is rare.

• MUTTER (verb)
  The verb MUTTER has 2 senses:

1. talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

2. make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath

  Familiarity information: MUTTER used as a verb is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MUTTER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Synonyms:

murmur; murmuration; murmuring; mussitation; mutter; muttering

Hypernyms ("mutter" is a kind of...):

sound (the sudden occurrence of an audible event)

Derivation:

mutter (talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice)

mutterer (a person who speaks softly and indistinctly)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

grumble; grumbling; murmur; murmuring; mutter; muttering

Hypernyms ("mutter" is a kind of...):

complaint (an expression of grievance or resentment)

Derivation:

mutter (make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath)

• MUTTER (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they mutter    ... he / she / it mutters   
Past simple: muttered   
Past participle: muttered   
-ing form: muttering   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

maunder; mumble; mussitate; mutter

Hypernyms (to "mutter" is one way to...):

mouth; speak; talk; utter; verbalise; verbalize (express in speech)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Sentence examples:

Sam and Sue mutter
They mutter that there was a traffic accident

Derivation:

mutter (a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech)

mutterer (a person who speaks softly and indistinctly)

muttering (a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

croak; gnarl; grumble; murmur; mutter

Context example:

she grumbles when she feels overworked

Hypernyms (to "mutter" is one way to...):

complain; kick; kvetch; plain; quetch; sound off (express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE

Derivation:

mutter; muttering (a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone)

 Context examples 

Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“You fiend!” he kept on muttering.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

"I dare too much," he muttered.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Poor Edward muttered something, but what it was, nobody knew, not even himself.

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

“If he has—” I muttered savagely.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

"He's all in, poor devil," muttered the master.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

This done, he went away, muttering, and uttered the cry of his trade next door, in a vindictive shriek.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

“The rogue got between me and the nearest French victual wain,” muttered Sir Oliver, amid a fresh titter from those who were near enough to catch his words.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“How could they have got on to Steiner?” he muttered. “That’s the worst blow yet.”

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The youth likewise went his way, and once more began to mutter to himself: “Ah, if I could but shudder! Ah, if I could but shudder!”

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)