grumbling
/ˈɡrʌm.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · [ɡrˈʌmbəlɪŋ] /ˈɡrʌm.bəl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈɡrʌmblɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [ɡrˈʌmbəlɪŋ] /ˈɡrʌmblɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [ɡrˈʌmbəlɪŋ] /ˈgrəm-b(ə-)liŋ/ (ame, mw)
grumbling — verb
- grumblingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- grumblings3rd person singular
- grumblinging-ing form
- grumblingedpast simple
1. to express annoyance or dissatisfaction about something in a quiet, low voice, o
to express annoyance or dissatisfaction about something in a quiet, low voice, often repeatedly and without trying to change the situation
The office workers spent the whole morning grumbling about the new air conditioning system.
grumble + about + noun phrase
Instead of grumbling at the manager, the team wrote a list of practical suggestions.
grumble + at + person
Passengers on the delayed train were grumbling about the lack of updated announcements.
The librarian grumbled under her breath as she sorted through the pile of overdue books.
- praise
to express approval instead of discontent
文法句型
grumble + about/at + noun phrase
用法筆記
Unlike 'complain', grumbling suggests a quieter, less direct expression of annoyance, often done among peers rather than to the person responsible.
常見錯誤
2. when a person's stomach or digestive organs produce low repeating sounds inside
when a person's stomach or digestive organs produce low repeating sounds inside the body, usually signalling hunger or active digestion
My stomach began grumbling loudly during the two-hour lecture.
stomach + grumble (subject pattern)
The children's stomachs were grumbling by the time dinner was finally served.
passive continuous: were grumbling
In the quiet library, Elena could hear her own stomach grumbling from across the room.
A loud grumbling from Diego's stomach broke the silence during the job interview.
文法句型
stomach + grumble
用法筆記
Only the stomach or digestive system can be the subject of this sense. It is never used in the passive voice.
常見錯誤
grumbling — noun
1. an act of complaining or a complaint made quietly and often indirectly by one or
an act of complaining or a complaint made quietly and often indirectly by one or more people about something that annoys them
There was a lot of grumbling among the tenants when the rent was raised without notice.
there was + grumbling among + group
Despite some grumbling from the older members, the new club rules were accepted.
The manager refused to listen to the constant grumbling about working conditions.
The grumbling over the new parking policy grew louder after the first week.
文法句型
there is/was + grumbling about/over
用法筆記
As an uncountable noun, 'grumbling' refers to the general atmosphere of dissatisfaction. As a countable noun ('grumbling' or 'grumblings'), it refers to specific instances of complaint.
常見錯誤
2. a low, continuous sound like something heavy rolling or moving underground or fa
a low, continuous sound like something heavy rolling or moving underground or far away
The deep grumbling of thunder could be heard rolling across the valley.
the grumbling of thunder
A low grumbling came from inside the old house whenever the wind picked up.
We heard the grumbling of heavy machinery from the construction site next door.
The grumbling of the train grew louder as it entered the narrow tunnel.
文法句型
the + grumbling + of + noun
用法筆記
This sense often appears with 'the' + 'of' to describe the source of the sound, e.g., 'the grumbling of thunder' or 'the grumbling of an engine'.
grumbling — adjective
- grumblingpositive
- more grumblingcomparative
- most grumblingsuperlative
1. expressing quiet dissatisfaction or annoyance, typically by muttering or making
expressing quiet dissatisfaction or annoyance, typically by muttering or making low sounds of complaint
A grumbling crowd of passengers gathered at the cancelled flight counter.
grumbling + crowd/noun describing people
The grumbling workers returned to their stations after the break was extended.
Wei overheard grumbling remarks from the audience during the long ceremony.
A grumbling customer complained about the cold coffee to anyone who would listen.
- muttering
focuses on the sound of speech rather than the discontent
- disgruntled
stronger and describes a lasting state, not just current behaviour
文法句型
grumbling + noun (crowd, passenger, worker, etc.)
用法筆記
Used before nouns describing people or their speech (crowd, audience, remarks, comments). Often implies the discontent is widespread but not loudly voiced.
2. producing a deep ongoing noise that seems to roll or vibrate through the air or
producing a deep ongoing noise that seems to roll or vibrate through the air or ground
The grumbling sound of the volcano warned the villagers of possible danger.
grumbling + sound of + natural source
From the basement came a grumbling noise that the plumber said was a blocked pipe.
The old truck made a deep grumbling sound as it climbed the steep mountain road.
The grumbling engine of the fishing boat could be heard from the harbour.
- silent
making no sound at all
文法句型
grumbling + sound/noun describing noises
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun (attributive position). Common with words like 'sound', 'noise', or specific sources (volcano, machinery, engine).