mumble

Everyday

1. To speak quietly and not clearly, so that people find it hard to understand you. tree →
2. (noun) Quiet, unclear speech. tree →

In the lessons

In speaking and listening lessons: «Don't mumble — speak up and look at your audience». In stories it shows shyness, sleepiness or guilt: «he mumbled an apology», «mumbled something under his breath». Similar words: mutter, murmur, whisper.

Examples

• Don't mumble; speak clearly so we can hear you. tree →
• He mumbled «sorry» and looked at the floor. tree →
• She mumbled something in her sleep. tree →
• I couldn't understand his mumble. tree →
• The shy boy mumbled his name. tree →
• Stop mumbling and say it again loudly. tree →
• Grandpa mumbled into his beard. tree →
• “What are you mumbling to yourself?” asked the Fairy. tree →

Note

Regular verb: mumbled. To «mumble» is not clear; to «whisper» is quiet but can be clear; to «mutter» is quiet and often grumpy. The «b» is spoken: «MUM-bul».