muttering
muttering — noun
- mutteringsingular
- mutteringsplural
1. the low, continuous sound produced when a person or a group speaks in a very qui
the low, continuous sound produced when a person or a group speaks in a very quiet voice that is hard to hear clearly, often because they are worried, annoyed, or unwilling to be overheard
From the hallway we could hear the low muttering of people waiting outside the manager's office.
muttering of [people] — low, indistinct sound of quiet talk
A quiet muttering spread through the audience when the show was cancelled at the last minute.
The librarian looked up at the muttering from a group of students in the corner.
All that came back was a nervous muttering that nobody could make out.
- murmuring
slightly softer and less likely to imply complaint or worry
- whispering
deliberately quiet speech meant to avoid being heard; less continuous than muttering
用法筆記
Often describes the sound of several people speaking at once in low voices, rather than a single speaker. Frequently used with adjectives like low, angry, quiet, nervous.
常見錯誤
2. expressions of dissatisfaction that are shared discreetly among a small group of
expressions of dissatisfaction that are shared discreetly among a small group of people rather than voiced openly or through official channels
There was a lot of muttering among the nurses about the new schedule, but nobody complained to the manager.
muttering among [group] about [topic] — discreet complaint
The team leader chose to ignore the muttering from a few members and pushed ahead with the plan.
Muttering about the price increase could be heard in the hallways all week.
The CEO was aware of the muttering among staff about the new break policy.
用法筆記
This sense is uncountable and typically used in singular form. The person or group being complained about is rarely present during the muttering.
muttering — adjective
- mutteringpositive
- more mutteringcomparative
- most mutteringsuperlative
1. producing low, unclear speech because you feel worried, annoyed, or dissatisfied
producing low, unclear speech because you feel worried, annoyed, or dissatisfied with something
The muttering passengers gathered by the information desk after the flight cancellation.
muttering + plural noun — describes a group speaking quietly in annoyance
Adina cast a glance at the muttering students at the back of the lecture hall.
A muttering figure stood alone by the window, shaking his head slowly.
The muttering crowd slowly moved toward the exit after the concert was called off.
用法筆記
Used attributively before a noun (muttering crowd, muttering passengers). Not used in predicative position — compare 'the passengers were muttering' (verb) vs 'the muttering passengers' (adjective).
2. openly expressing discontent or disapproval, typically in a low but audible tone
openly expressing discontent or disapproval, typically in a low but audible tone
A muttering customer returned the faulty kettle and demanded a refund.
muttering + [person] — describes someone who is complaining quietly
The muttering voices from the kitchen told us the staff were unhappy with the new menu.
Muttering fans complained about the long wait outside the stadium gates.
Mr. Okafor gave a muttering reply when asked about the budget cuts.
- complaining
more direct and general; does not suggest a low voice
- grumbling
suggests ongoing irritation expressed in a low, repetitive way
muttering — verb
- mutteringpresent simple I / you / we / they
- mutterings3rd person singular
- mutteringing-ing form
- mutteringedpast simple
1. to speak in a very low, unclear voice with your lips barely moving, so that list
to speak in a very low, unclear voice with your lips barely moving, so that listeners cannot hear or understand you easily
The old man muttered something under his breath and walked away from the counter.
mutter + something + under one's breath — common fixed phrase
Anjali muttered a quick apology and rushed out of the room before anyone could stop her.
Instead of answering clearly, Eric just muttered into his scarf and looked down at his shoes.
The little boy muttered a few words to himself while drawing a picture of a cat.
Joaquín muttered something about a meeting as he hurried past the security desk.
文法句型
mutter + speech
mutter + to + person
mutter + about + noun
用法筆記
The speaker is often talking to themselves or deliberately not wanting to be heard clearly. Can be transitive (mutter + words) or intransitive (mutter about something).
常見錯誤
2. to express annoyance or dissatisfaction in a low, irritated voice, often talking
to express annoyance or dissatisfaction in a low, irritated voice, often talking to yourself or to the people immediately around you
Eri muttered about the slow internet connection while refreshing the page for the third time.
mutter + about + [annoying situation]
The passengers muttered angrily when the train stopped again between stations.
"This is not what I agreed to," he muttered under his breath as he read the contract.
Faisal muttered that the food was cold and pushed his plate to the side of the table.
- praise
positive expression, opposite emotional content
文法句型
mutter + about + noun/ing-form
mutter + that-clause
用法筆記
This sense carries a stronger negative emotion than sense 1. The muttering is specifically about something annoying or unfair. Frequently used with the adverb angrily.
常見錯誤
3. to say something in a poorly-formed or confused way so that the words come out u
to say something in a poorly-formed or confused way so that the words come out unclear and are hard for others to follow
The witness muttered a confused reply that the lawyer had to ask her to repeat twice.
mutter + [unclear speech] — badly articulated utterance
Still half asleep, he muttered something that sounded like a mix of English and Spanish.
The old woman muttered a prayer in a voice so faint that her granddaughter could not tell the words.
In his feverish state, the patient muttered broken phrases that the nurse could barely understand.
- enunciate
opposite — to speak clearly and distinctly
文法句型
mutter + speech/noun
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (which focuses on low volume) and sense 2 (which focuses on complaint), this sense focuses on poor clarity of articulation — the speaker may be confused, sleepy, ill, or simply not forming words properly.