murmurs
murmurs — verb
1. to say something in a very low voice, usually so that only a nearby person can h
to say something in a very low voice, usually so that only a nearby person can hear it
Kabir murmurs a quick apology after stepping on the conductor's shoe.
murmur + noun
Shirin murmurs that the baby is finally asleep upstairs.
murmur + that-clause
Theo murmurs the total to Minh during the noisy market sale.
The nurse murmurs directions as the lights go down for the scan.
文法句型
murmur an apology
murmur that + clause
murmur to + person
用法筆記
Usually takes short spoken content such as an apology, answer, or brief comment. Unlike verb sense 2, this sense focuses on low volume rather than dissatisfaction.
常見錯誤
2. to complain quietly to another person or to yourself instead of saying the probl
to complain quietly to another person or to yourself instead of saying the problem openly
A parent murmurs about the fee increase while waiting outside the office.
murmur about + complaint topic
Christopher murmurs that the new rota is unfair after lunch.
murmur + that-clause of complaint
Aoi murmurs to Eli when the train doors stay closed too long.
The driver murmurs in the cab after the road closes without warning.
文法句型
murmur about + noun
murmur that + clause
murmur to + person
用法筆記
Most often appears when someone dislikes a rule, delay, or decision but does not challenge it openly. Unlike verb sense 1, the key idea here is complaint, not simply quiet speech.
常見錯誤
murmurs — noun
1. very quiet spoken words, or the low sound they make when people talk softly toge
very quiet spoken words, or the low sound they make when people talk softly together
Soft murmurs spread across the church before the wedding music began.
soft murmurs spread through a place
The teacher heard murmurs near the windows during the spelling test.
hear murmurs
Murmurs from the balcony faded when the actor stepped onstage.
The guide paused when murmurs moved through the group at the gate.
- whispers
more strongly suggests speech kept very secret or very close
- undertones
slightly more formal and focused on low speech level
- mutterings
often sounds less clear or more irritated than murmurs
文法句型
hear murmurs
soft murmurs spread
murmurs from the crowd
用法筆記
Usually refers to quiet human speech or to the overall sound of it in a room or crowd. Unlike noun sense 2, this sense is tied to spoken voices.
常見錯誤
2. soft continuous sounds from water, leaves, machines, or other things around you
soft continuous sounds from water, leaves, machines, or other things around you
Soft murmurs from the river reached our tent after the fire went out.
murmurs from + natural source
Murmurs of rain on the roof kept Ife awake past midnight.
murmurs of + sound source
The old radiator made faint murmurs behind the library desk.
Murmurs from the trees drifted through the window while Madison packed lunch.
- rustlings
better for light movement of leaves, paper, or cloth
- hums
better for steady sound from wires or machines
- susurrations
a much more literary word for soft whispering sounds
文法句型
murmurs of rain
murmurs from the river
faint murmurs behind a wall
用法筆記
This sense does not need human speakers and is common with rain, trees, pipes, and machines. Unlike noun sense 1, the source of the sound is often natural or mechanical rather than spoken.
常見錯誤
3. quiet expressions of dissatisfaction that people share privately rather than say
quiet expressions of dissatisfaction that people share privately rather than saying in public
Murmurs about the dress code started after the principal left.
murmurs about + disliked decision
Angry murmurs followed the announcement about shorter visiting hours.
angry murmurs followed
The manager ignored the murmurs rising near the checkout line.
Murmurs from the back row grew louder after the vote ended.
- grumbles
the closest everyday word for low private complaints
- complaints
broader and can also be open or formal
- mutterings
often emphasizes unclear low speech more than shared discontent
文法句型
murmurs about a decision
angry murmurs followed
ignore the murmurs
用法筆記
This sense adds clear dissatisfaction and often appears after decisions, delays, or unfair treatment. Unlike noun sense 1, the voices here signal disapproval rather than quiet conversation.
常見錯誤
4. unusual heart sounds that can suggest a problem with the heart or its valves
unusual heart sounds that can suggest a problem with the heart or its valves
The doctor listened for murmurs before clearing Mateo to train again.
listen for murmurs
Infants with murmurs often return for another check a few weeks later.
murmurs in a medical follow-up
The clinic records showed two murmurs during Hana's follow-up visit.
A scan confirmed the faint murmurs the nurse heard yesterday.
- heart murmurs
the fuller everyday phrase for this medical meaning
- cardiac murmurs
a more formal medical phrasing
- normal heart sounds
describes a regular heartbeat with no unusual extra noise
文法句型
listen for murmurs
detect murmurs
murmurs during a checkup
用法筆記
Used in medicine for sounds heard during heart examination. It is much more specialized than the other noun senses and often appears with listen for, detect, or diagnose.