Added 9 October 2026
mumble
/ˈmʌmbəl/ verb
verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about mumble at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
noun
-
A quiet or unintelligible vocalization; a low tone of voice.
All I could hear was a mumble from the next room.
Origin
From Middle English momelen, a frequentative of mum (sense 3) (“silent”). Compare German mümmeln, Middle Dutch mommelen and Dutch mompelen. Perhaps related to Norwegian Nynorsk mumpa (“to gum, to chew without teeth”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)