English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com
verb B2 Upper-Intermediate

mutter

MUH-tuh

Mutter (verb) means to speak quietly and indistinctly, especially in complaint or annoyance. Example: “He muttered something under his breath and walked off.”

verb
1
To speak quietly and indistinctly, especially in complaint or annoyance.
"He muttered something under his breath and walked off."
"She kept muttering about the traffic the whole ride home."
noun
1
A low, indistinct sound of speech.
"All he could hear from the next room was a faint mutter."

How to use mutter

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo speak in a low, unclear voice, often when complaining.

Common pairings
mutter under your breath mutter a complaint

Word forms

muttered past tense, mutters plural, mutters singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “mutter” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He _____ something under his breath and walked off.

Etymology

From Middle English muteren, an imitative word echoing the sound of low, murmured speech.

Origin: Middle English

Related words

Rhymes for mutter

See all rhymes for mutter →

Frequently asked questions

What does “mutter” mean?

The word “mutter” means to speak quietly and indistinctly, especially in complaint or annoyance. In plain terms, to speak in a low, unclear voice, often when complaining.

How do you pronounce “mutter”?

“Mutter” is pronounced MUH-tuh (/ˈmʌtɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “mutter” in a sentence?

Here is “mutter” used in a sentence: “He muttered something under his breath and walked off.”

What is another word for “mutter”?

Words with a similar meaning to “mutter” include fumfer and mouth.

What part of speech is “mutter”?

Depending on how it is used, “mutter” can be a verb and a noun.

Where does the word “mutter” come from?

The word “mutter” comes from Middle English. From Middle English muteren, an imitative word echoing the sound of low, murmured speech.

How many meanings does “mutter” have?

“Mutter” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to speak quietly and indistinctly, especially in complaint or annoyance.

Featured in

People also searched

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial