grumble
B2Informal
Definition
Meaning
To complain or express discontent in a low, murmuring, often bad-tempered manner.
To make a low, rumbling sound, often referring to machinery, thunder, or a stomach.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word often implies persistent, low-level, and perhaps unjustified complaining. It can be used both transitively (to grumble a complaint) and intransitively (to grumble about something). The noun form 'grumbling' can refer to the act or sound.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is broadly similar, but 'grumble' is perhaps slightly more common in British English as a synonym for 'complain'. The noun 'grumble' (meaning a complaint) is more frequent in UK English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries connotations of being peevish or hard to please.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English corpora.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] grumbles[Subject] grumbles about [Object][Subject] grumbles that [Clause]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't grumble about a gift horse. (variation on 'look a gift horse in the mouth')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare; considered unprofessional. E.g., 'The team began to grumble about the new overtime policy.'
Academic
Very rare outside of literary or historical analysis of character.
Everyday
Common, especially for describing minor, habitual complaints.
Technical
Used literally for sounds in engineering/geology (e.g., 'the grumble of seismic activity').
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- He let out a grumble and went back to his work.
- The only grumble I have is the slow Wi-Fi.
American English
- A distant grumble of thunder warned of the storm.
- My main grumble is the lack of parking.
verb
British English
- He's always grumbling about the weather.
- My stomach's grumbling; I missed lunch.
American English
- She grumbled that the coffee was too weak.
- The old engine grumbled to life.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The children grumbled when it was time for bed.
- Passengers began to grumble about the delayed flight.
- Despite his constant grumbling, he never actually tried to change the situation.
- The minister faced a backbench grumble over the proposed legislation, but it never escalated into open rebellion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GRUMPY person who mumbles complaints = GRUMBLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMPLAINT IS A LOW RUMBLING SOUND.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'ворчать' for inanimate subjects (e.g., stomach). In Russian, 'ворчать' is almost exclusively for people/animals. Use 'урчать' for a stomach or 'грохотать' for thunder.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He grumbled me.' Correct: 'He grumbled at me.' or 'He grumbled about me.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'grumble' CORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is informal. In formal writing, 'complain', 'protest', or 'express dissatisfaction' are preferred.
Yes, it can describe low, rumbling sounds from things like stomachs, machinery, or thunder.
'Grumble' suggests a more low-pitched,持续不断的, and often irritable tone, while 'complain' is more general and can be more direct and forceful.
Yes, but 'whinge' is chiefly British/Australian and often implies a more high-pitched, annoying, or persistent complaint compared to the lower, rumbling connotation of 'grumble'.