mumble

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To speak unintelligibly or inaudibly; to fail to articulate.

   Please try not to mumble so I can hear you better.

2. 2
   noun

   A quiet or unintelligible vocalization; a low tone of voice.

   All I could hear was a mumble from the next room.

3. 3
   noun

   a soft indistinct utterance

4. 4
   verb

   talk indistinctly

5. 5
   verb

   grind with the gums

6. 6
   verb

   To chew something gently with closed lips.

Etymology

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”).