mutter
gb/mˈʌtɚ/ us/mˈʌtɚ/
B1
English
~ 700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Speak in a low, unclear voice
To say something in a very quiet and unclear voice, often because you are unhappy or annoyed.
Usage pattern:
to mutter [words] [under one's breath]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'mutter' with 'murmur'. 'Mutter' often carries a negative or annoyed tone, while 'murmur' is usually softer and more neutral or affectionate.
Synonyms
murmur (Softer and more gentle in tone, often without negative emotion.)
|
grumble (Implies complaining, often more audible and direct than muttering.)
Antonyms
declare (To speak clearly and loudly so everyone can hear.)
Collocations
mutter under one's breath
|mutter a complaint
|mutter softly
|mutter something
|mutter angrily
Themes
daily life
|emotions
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She muttered something about being tired as she left the room.
- He muttered under his breath after hearing the bad news.
- The old man muttered to himself while fixing the watch.
- I could hear her muttering angrily in the kitchen.
- They muttered a few words before walking away.
Learner examples
- She muttered something to me.
- He muttered under his breath.
- The teacher heard the boy mutter.
- My father muttered when he was angry.
- I muttered to myself in the park.
Noun
B1
entity
2
Low, unclear speech sound
Quiet words that are hard to hear or understand, often because someone is unhappy.
Synonyms
murmur (A soft, low sound, but without necessarily implying annoyance.)
Antonyms
shout (A loud and clear vocal expression, opposite of quiet unclear speech.)
Collocations
a low mutter
|an angry mutter
|a mutter of complaint
|a mutter of voices
Themes
communication
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a low mutter from the crowd.
- She answered in a barely audible mutter.
- A mutter of complaint rose from the audience.
- He spoke in a mutter that I couldn't understand.
Learner examples
- I heard a mutter from the back.
- She spoke in a mutter.
- The class gave a mutter of complaint.
- He replied with a mutter.
Grammar
Dictionary form
mutter
IPA
GB/mˈʌtɚ/
US/mˈʌtɚ/
Syllables & stress
mut - ter (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mut)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: mutter
- Plural: mutters
Verb
- Base: mutter
- 3rd Person Singular: mutters
- Present Participle: muttering
- Past: muttered
Word family
Forms
mutters
noun
muttering
verb
muttered
verb
Related words
mutterer
noun
Expressions
mutter under one's breath
1/mˈʌtɚ ˈʌndɚ wˈʌnz bɹˈɛθ/
fixed phrase
Speak quietly so others can't hear
To say something very quietly so that other people cannot hear it well, often because you are annoyed or do not want them to hear it.
Examples
- She muttered under her breath about the unfair rules.
- He muttered under his breath when the boss walked past.