Mutterto speak quietly and unclearly, especially when upset or trying not to be heard usually means to speak in a low, unclearnot easy to understand or hear voice, often because you are annoyed, worried, or trying not to be heard. It can also mean the quiet sound of that kind of speech, or a short complainta short expression of dissatisfaction or annoyance said under your breath.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈmʌtər/
Easy pronunciation: MUT-er (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the first syllable.
Verb: to talk in a low, indistinct voice.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Mutter Meaning
to speak quietly and unclearly
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to talk in a low, indistinct voice
Example: She muttered something I couldn’t hear.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- mumble — A strong everyday substitute for speaking quietly and unclearly.
- murmur — Works when the speech is very quiet and not clear, though it can sound softer or more gentle than mutter.
- maunder — Can fit in some contexts, but it is less common and often suggests rambling speech.
- mussitate — A rare formal word for muttering or speaking indistinctly.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Mutter
Meaning 2
a quiet complaint
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a complaint said in a low, indistinct voice
Example: There were mutters of protest from the crowd.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- grumble — A natural synonym when the mutter is a complaint.
- murmur — Can refer to a quiet complaint or a low voiced reaction.
- grumbling — Works as a noun for quiet complaints, though it is broader than mutter.
- muttering — A close noun form for quiet, indistinct complaints.
Meaning 3
to complain quietly
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to make complaining remarks under one's breath
Example: He muttered about the delay as he waited.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- grumble — A strong substitute when the meaning is quiet complaint.
- murmur — Can work if the complaint is said softly and indistinctly.
- croak — Can overlap in some low-voiced complaint uses, but it is less direct and more stylistic.
Meaning 4
a soft, unclear sound
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a low, continuous indistinct sound
Example: We heard the mutter of voices in the next room.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- murmur — A strong synonym for a soft, low, continuous sound.
- murmuring — Works as a noun for a soft continuous sound.
- murmuration — Can mean a low sound in older or more literary usage, but it is uncommon and may suggest birds in modern English.
- mussitation — A rare formal word for low indistinct speech or sound.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Mutter Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- mumble
- murmur
- grumble
quiet complaint
- grumble
- murmur
- grumbling
- muttering
complain quietly under your breath
- grumble
- murmur
- croak
soft, unclear sound
- murmur
- murmuring
- murmuration
- mussitation
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse mutter with muttering as a noun when you need the verb form.
- Do not use murmur for every sense; it is close in some senses but not always an exact substitute.
- Do not choose rare words like mussitate or murmuration unless the context is clearly formal or literary.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does mutter mean?
Mutter means to speak in a low, unclear voice, often when someone is annoyed, nervous, or trying not to be heard. It can also mean the quiet complaint itself or a soft indistinct sound.
What is a good synonym for mutter?
For the main verb sense, mumble is the best everyday synonym. In complaint contexts, grumble is often a better choice.
Is mutter negative?
Often, yes. It usually suggests annoyance, secrecy, or lack of clarity, though it can sometimes be neutral.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-14. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.