verb
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grumble
GRUHMBL
Grumble (verb) means to complain in a low, muttering, discontented way. Example: “He grumbled about the traffic the whole drive home.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- grumbles
- Third person singular
- grumbles
- Past tense
- grumbled
Fill the gap
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He _____ about the traffic the whole drive home.
Etymology
Probably from Middle French grommeler, itself from a Middle Dutch word meaning to murmur or grunt.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for grumble
See all rhymes for grumble →Frequently asked questions
What does “grumble” mean?
The word “grumble” means to complain in a low, muttering, discontented way. In plain terms, to complain quietly and persistently, or a low rumbling sound/complaint.
How do you pronounce “grumble”?
“Grumble” is pronounced GRUHMBL (/ˈɡɹʌmbl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “grumble” in a sentence?
Here is “grumble” used in a sentence: “He grumbled about the traffic the whole drive home.”
What part of speech is “grumble”?
Depending on how it is used, “grumble” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “grumble” come from?
The word “grumble” comes from Middle French. Probably from Middle French grommeler, itself from a Middle Dutch word meaning to murmur or grunt.
How many meanings does “grumble” have?
“Grumble” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to complain in a low, muttering, discontented way.
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