Grumble

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ÊŒmbÉ™l

Origin

Probably from Middle French grommeler, from Middle Dutch grommen (modern Dutch grommelen). Cognate with grim.

Full definition of grumble

Noun

1. (onomatopoeia) A low thundering, rumbling or growling sound.
2. The sound made by a hungry stomach.
3. A complaint.That whiner is never without a grumble to share.

Derived terms

• grumbly

Verb

1. (intransitive) To make a low, growling or rumbling noise, like a hungry stomach or certain animals.The distant thunder grumbles.
• 1995, Terry C. Johnston, Dance on the Wind, It made his stomach grumble in protest to think the mule was eating, and here he was worrying about her with an empty belly of his own.
2. (intransitive) To complain; to murmur or mutter with discontent; to make ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner.He grumbles about the food constantly, but has yet to learn to cook.
3. (transitive) To utter in a grumbling fashion.
• 2001, Harry Willcox Pfanz, Gettysburg — the first day‎He grumbled that there was no grain "in the country" and that people were talking instead of working to provide it.

Synonyms

Derived terms

• grumbler