mumble
MUM-buhl
/ˈmʌmbəl/
To speak indistinctly, running words together with a partially closed mouth.
Focuses on poor articulation, lack of clarity, or nervousness, rather than anger or secrecy.
The story behind the word. From Middle English 'momelen', a frequentative verb from the imitative base 'mum' (representing speech with closed lips). It mimics the sound of someone trying to talk without opening their mouth.
Word relationships
- slur: Slur is to speak indistinctly by running sounds together, often due to fatigue or intoxication, while mumble is simply speaking with a closed mouth.
- enunciate: Enunciate is to pronounce words clearly and distinctly.
Commonly confused with
- mutter: Mutter implies grumbling or complaining, while mumble simply means the words are physically unclear and hard to hear.
Word family
- mumbler (noun): A person who speaks indistinctly.
Collocations
- mumble an apology
- mumble incoherently
- nervous mumble
Example sentences
- "Please do not mumble your presentation; stand up straight, open your mouth, and speak clearly." A teacher advising a student on public speaking.
Memory hook
Think of a mumbling mummy whose mouth is wrapped in bandages. Mumble is when your mouth is mostly closed.
When not to use
Do not use if the speaker is articulating clearly but simply keeping their volume low.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'mum's the word' comes from the same imitative root 'mum', meaning to keep one's lips sealed.
Explore more words
enunciate, articulation, muddled, articulate, Rambling, bumbling
Take your vocabulary further with LangBlitz
Our English vocabulary app: FSRS spaced repetition, 5,000+ curated words across 119 topic groups, CEFR A1 to C2. Explore your mastery with the beautiful Vocabulary World feature.