murmur
/ˈmɜːmə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɜːrmər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmər-mər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmɜː.mər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmɝː.mɚ/ (ame, ipa)
murmur — verb
- murmurpresent simple I / you / we / they
- murmurshe / she / it
- murmuredpast simple
- murmuring-ing form
1. voice so low that people nearby cannot catch the words clearly — done when shari
voice so low that people nearby cannot catch the words clearly — done when sharing a secret, whispering a prayer, or making a quiet remark to someone.
Marta murmured a thank-you to her aunt as they left the church.
murmur + noun phrase (direct object)
The children murmured their lines in the school play, sounding too shy to be heard.
murmur + possessive + noun phrase
Ezra murmured something in Tariro's ear, and he nodded without looking up.
Lien murmured a quiet prayer before the exam papers were handed out.
"I'll be right back," he murmured, then slipped out of the room.
- whisper
more common than 'murmur'; can be any low-voice speech, while 'murmur' often implies a softer, less articulate sound
- mutter
suggests grumbling or speaking with the mouth partly closed; 'murmur' is gentler and not necessarily negative
- mumble
implies unclear pronunciation; 'murmur' can still be clear even if quiet
文法句型
murmur + noun phrase
murmur + direct speech
murmur + to + person
用法筆記
Commonly used with direct objects such as 'thank-you', 'apology', 'prayer', or 'name'. Can also introduce direct speech without a reporting verb change.
常見錯誤
2. to express mild dissatisfaction or disagreement in a low, private way, without r
to express mild dissatisfaction or disagreement in a low, private way, without raising the issue openly or directly.
Several staff members murmured about the new schedule but said nothing aloud.
murmur + about + noun phrase (intransitive)
Gabriel murmured that the meeting had been a complete waste of time.
murmur + that-clause for complaint
The passengers murmured against the two-hour delay at the boarding gate.
Hui heard a few neighbours murmur about the unfair rent increase last week.
- grumble
more openly negative; often implies repeated complaining; 'murmur' is quieter and less confrontational
- complain
general term for expressing dissatisfaction; 'murmur' specifically adds the element of quiet, private expression
- mutter
overlaps with 'murmur' but can suggest anger; 'murmur' in this sense is softer
- praise publicly
the opposite of complaining privately
- applaud
to express approval rather than dissatisfaction
文法句型
murmur + about + noun phrase
murmur + against + noun phrase
murmur + that-clause
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'about' or 'against' to specify the target of the complaint. This sense is always intransitive; the person complained about is introduced by a preposition.
常見錯誤
murmur — noun
- murmursingular
- murmursplural
1. the low, soft sound produced when people are speaking in voices that are not mea
the low, soft sound produced when people are speaking in voices that are not meant to be heard clearly — such as the background noise of a room full of quiet conversation.
All Kevin could hear was the low murmur of voices from the next room.
the murmur of + voices (speech sound)
A murmur of agreement spread through the crowd after the speaker finished.
a murmur of + emotion/response
Marta caught the murmur of an apology as Bilal rushed past her desk.
The only sound in the hall was the soft murmur of students discussing their homework.
文法句型
a murmur of + noun
the murmur of + noun
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' + a noun describing the speech or its effect, e.g. 'a murmur of voices', 'a murmur of surprise'.
常見錯誤
2. a gentle, continuous noise made by something such as water, wind, leaves, or mac
a gentle, continuous noise made by something such as water, wind, leaves, or machinery — steady, soft, and often soothing to hear.
The murmur of the stream helped Tariro fall asleep by the campsite.
the murmur of + natural feature
From the garden came the steady murmur of bees among the lavender flowers.
murmur of + animals/insects
The old refrigerator in the corner made a constant low murmur all night long.
Hoa listened to the murmur of the wind through the pine trees behind the house.
文法句型
the murmur of + (natural element)
a murmur of + (noun)
用法筆記
Describes non-speech sounds only. To refer to the same sound from people, use noun sense 1. Subject is typically a natural element or machine.
常見錯誤
3. an expression of dissatisfaction or disagreement spoken in a low voice among a s
an expression of dissatisfaction or disagreement spoken in a low voice among a small group, without being directed at the person responsible.
There were murmurs of discontent when the school announced the lunch price increase.
murmurs of + emotion (discontent)
Sirin ignored the murmurs from the back of the room and continued her lesson.
The proposed changes to the park caused quiet murmurs among the local residents.
Manuela heard murmurs that the manager was thinking of leaving the company soon.
- grumble
more openly negative and often repeated; 'murmur' is subtler and less aggressive
- whisper campaign
a deliberate spread of negative information; 'murmur' is more spontaneous and less organised
- discontent
the feeling itself, not the expression; 'murmur' is the audible expression of discontent
文法句型
murmurs of + noun
murmurs about + noun
用法筆記
Typically appears in the plural ('murmurs') to suggest multiple people sharing the same quiet complaint. Singular 'murmur' in this sense is rare and usually refers to the sound of the complaint rather than the complaint itself.