murmuring
murmuring — noun
1. the low sound made when people speak very quietly, or the quiet words themselves
the low sound made when people speak very quietly, or the quiet words themselves
A low murmuring filled the church before the wedding music began.
a low murmuring + fill a place
The teacher heard murmuring at the back of the class during the test.
hear murmuring in a room
After the warning, the crowd's murmuring faded into sudden silence.
Murmuring spread across the hall when the mayor changed the result.
- whispering
focuses more clearly on people speaking in very low voices
- muttering
often sounds more annoyed or less clear than murmuring
- undertone
more formal and often used for a quiet level of speech
文法句型
hear murmuring
a low murmuring
murmuring fills a room
用法筆記
Usually refers to many low voices together rather than one person speaking alone. It often appears in places such as classrooms, churches, meetings, and crowds.
常見錯誤
2. a quiet sound that continues gently for some time, such as the sound of water, w
a quiet sound that continues gently for some time, such as the sound of water, wind, or leaves
We fell asleep to the murmuring of rain against the metal roof.
the murmuring of + natural sound
The murmuring of the river followed us along the dark path.
From the garden came a murmuring of leaves in the warm wind.
The old fan made a steady murmuring above the shop door.
- rustling
usually used for leaves, paper, or cloth moving lightly
- humming
better for steady sounds from machines, wires, or voices
- susurration
a much more literary word for a soft whispering sound
文法句型
the murmuring of water
a murmuring in the leaves
fall asleep to murmuring
用法筆記
Unlike noun sense 1, this sense does not need human voices. It is common with water, wind, leaves, and machines that make a soft continuing sound.
常見錯誤
3. quiet complaining that people express to each other instead of saying it openly
quiet complaining that people express to each other instead of saying it openly
There was murmuring among staff after the company cut the lunch break.
murmuring among + group
His murmuring about the seating plan grew louder after dinner.
The manager ignored the murmuring that followed the new weekend schedule.
Murmuring in the queue started again when the doors stayed closed.
- grumbling
the closest everyday word for quiet complaining
- complaint
broader and can also be public or formal
- discontent
more formal and often describes a wider unhappy feeling
文法句型
murmuring among staff
murmuring about a decision
ignore the murmuring
用法筆記
This sense adds the idea of dissatisfaction, unlike noun senses 1 and 2. It often appears when a group dislikes a rule, delay, or decision but does not protest directly.
常見錯誤
murmuring — adjective
1. describing people or voices that are speaking in a very quiet way
describing people or voices that are speaking in a very quiet way
The murmuring students waited outside the office after the final bell.
murmuring + people
A murmuring couple sat behind us and shared worries about rent.
The murmuring visitors moved through the gallery with their phones lowered.
Two murmuring nurses checked the chart beside the sleeping child.
- whispering
more directly suggests very quiet speech close to the ear
- hushed
describes a quieter overall tone, not always active speaking
- soft-spoken
describes a person's usual manner, not a momentary scene
文法句型
murmuring students
a murmuring couple
murmuring voices nearby
用法筆記
Usually comes before a noun and describes people as they speak quietly at the same time. Distinguish it from adjective sense 2, which is about the sound something makes rather than the act of speaking.
常見錯誤
2. describing something that keeps making a soft continuing sound
describing something that keeps making a soft continuing sound
We rested under a murmuring pine while the bus cooled nearby.
murmuring + natural object
The camp stood beside a murmuring stream at the edge of town.
a murmuring stream
A murmuring air conditioner kept the baby asleep through the storm.
The murmuring crowd outside the stadium grew larger after sunset.
- rustling
better for light dry movement such as leaves or paper
- humming
better for steady machine or electrical sound
- whispering
can also describe wind or leaves in a more poetic way
文法句型
a murmuring stream
murmuring leaves
a murmuring machine
用法筆記
This sense is about the sound produced by a thing or group, not about spoken content. It often describes water, leaves, crowds, or machines that stay quietly noisy for some time.
常見錯誤
murmuring — verb
1. to say something in a very quiet voice, often so that only one nearby person can
to say something in a very quiet voice, often so that only one nearby person can hear it
Kenji murmured an apology after he bumped the tray in line.
murmur + noun
Yael murmured that the soup smelled burnt before anyone tasted it.
murmur + that-clause
Rachel murmured the answer to Padma during the noisy science video.
The guide murmured directions as the group entered the dark cave.
文法句型
murmur a reply
murmur that + clause
murmur to + person
用法筆記
Often used when a person speaks quietly because the place is silent, private, or tense. Distinguish it from verb sense 2, where the key idea is complaint rather than low volume alone.
常見錯誤
2. to complain quietly to another person or to yourself instead of speaking openly
to complain quietly to another person or to yourself instead of speaking openly
Staff murmured about the new badge rules during the lunch break.
murmur about + complaint topic
Christopher murmured that the prices were unfair after seeing the bill.
murmur that + opinion
Several parents murmured in the hall when the trip was canceled.
Reuben murmured to a friend about the sudden seat change.
文法句型
murmur about + noun
murmur that + clause
murmur to a friend
用法筆記
This sense normally appears when someone is unhappy about a rule, a delay, or another decision. Unlike verb sense 1, the point is the complaint itself, not only the low voice.
常見錯誤
3. to produce a soft sound that continues gently, like water, wind, leaves, or a wa
to produce a soft sound that continues gently, like water, wind, leaves, or a waiting crowd
The tall grass murmured as evening wind crossed the empty field.
natural subject + murmur
Water murmured through the pipes behind the kitchen wall all night.
water murmurs through + place
Bees murmured around the peach tree beside the back fence.
Leaves murmured above us while Hao locked the garden gate.
文法句型
water murmurs through pipes
leaves murmur in the wind
a crowd murmurs while waiting
用法筆記
This sense is for the sound itself rather than for spoken words or complaints. It often appears in more descriptive writing about nature, buildings, or groups waiting quietly.