verb
grumble
GRUHMBL
verb
1
To complain in a low, muttering, discontented way.
"He grumbled about the traffic the whole drive home."
"Employees grumbled about the pay freeze."
noun
1
A low rumbling sound, or a muttered complaint.
"There were grumbles of dissatisfaction from the back of the room."
How to Use Grumble
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo complain quietly and persistently, or a low rumbling sound/complaint.
Common pairings
grumble about
a low grumble
Word Forms
grumbled past tense, grumbles plural, grumbles singular
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Etymology
Probably from Middle French grommeler, itself from a Middle Dutch word meaning to murmur or grunt.