MUTTERING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does muttering mean? 

• MUTTERING (noun)
  The noun MUTTERING 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: MUTTERING used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MUTTERING (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 ("muttering" is a kind of...):

sound (the sudden occurrence of an audible event)

Derivation:

mutter (talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice)

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 ("muttering" is a kind of...):

complaint (an expression of grievance or resentment)

Derivation:

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

 Context examples 

What is it that you are always muttering between your teeth?

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

“Bertrand, Bertrand!” cried the lady in the same muttering far-away voice, “the blessed hour passes. Use it, Bertrand, while you may.”

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

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

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

In two minutes, however, he relented in his own favour; and muttering something about spruce-beer, walked off.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The door jerked open, and the man flung past Martin, with an angry countenance and went down the corridor, muttering curses and clenching his fists.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

“You fiend!” he kept on muttering.

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

And yet he would always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever have accepted such a situation.

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

Kelly subsided with some muttering, and the Kanaka flashed his white teeth in a grateful smile.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Jo saw and understood the look, and she stalked grimly away to get wine and beef tea, muttering to herself as she slammed the door, "I hate estimable young men with brown eyes!"

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

The current had turned at right angles, sweeping round along with it the tall schooner and the little dancing coracle; ever quickening, ever bubbling higher, ever muttering louder, it went spinning through the narrows for the open sea.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)