mumbling

/ˈmʌm.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · [mˈʌmbəlɪŋ] /ˈmʌm.bəl/ (ame, ipa)

mumbling — verb

  • mumblingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • mumblings3rd person singular
  • mumblinging-ing form
  • mumblingedpast simple

1. to speak quietly without moving your lips much, making your words hard to hear o

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to speak quietly without moving your lips much, making your words hard to hear or understand

例句

Shanti mumbled an apology and quickly left the room.

transitive: mumble + apology — expressing regret unclearly

Please don't mumble — I can't hear what you are saying.

imperative: 'don't mumble' — telling someone to speak clearly

同義詞
  • mutter

    more negative — often implies grumbling or complaining under one's breath

  • slur

    suggests words running together, often from tiredness or drinking alcohol

反義詞
  • enunciate

    to speak each word clearly and distinctly

  • articulate

    to express thoughts clearly in well-formed speech

文法句型

mumble

mumble something

mumble + that-clause

mumble to oneself

用法筆記

Distinguish from whisper (deliberate quiet but clear speech) and mutter (grumbling or complaining quietly). Mumbling is unintentionally unclear because the speaker does not open their mouth enough.

常見錯誤

❌He whispered an apology' (when the words were unclear).
✅He mumbled an apology.
💡whispering is intentionally quiet but still clear; mumbling is unclear because the speaker's lips barely move.