murmur
B2Neutral to Formal. More formal than 'mutter' in the context of complaint.
Definition
Meaning
A soft, low, continuous sound made by a person, people, or thing, often indistinct or difficult to hear clearly.
A quiet, private, or subdued expression of discontent or complaint; a recurring, indistinct, and often abnormal sound from the body, especially the heart.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word inherently implies softness, continuity, and often indistinctness. As a complaint, it suggests something not openly or forcefully expressed. The medical sense is highly specific.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. The medical use is identical in both.
Connotations
Slightly more literary in the sense of a low sound in BrE (e.g., 'murmur of the brook'). As a complaint, the connotations are the same.
Frequency
Similar frequency, though the onomatopoeic nature may make it slightly more common in descriptive prose.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
murmur somethingmurmur that + clausemurmur about/against somethingmurmur in/with (surprise, agreement)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “without a murmur (without complaint)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Management noted a murmur of discontent among the staff regarding the new policy.
Academic
The professor's lecture was followed by a thoughtful murmur of discussion.
Everyday
We could hear the murmur of our neighbours' television through the wall.
Technical
The patient was diagnosed with a systolic heart murmur.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He murmured an apology as he squeezed past in the theatre.
- 'That's lovely,' she murmured, looking at the garden.
American English
- He murmured something about being late and rushed out.
- 'I agree,' she murmured during the meeting.
adverb
British English
- He spoke murmuringly, so I couldn't catch the details. (Rare/Literary)
American English
- She answered murmuringly, lost in thought.
adjective
British English
- The murmurous crowd fell silent. (Literary)
American English
- The murmurous sound of the creek was soothing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The baby murmured in her sleep.
- I heard a murmur outside the door.
- There was a murmur of agreement in the classroom.
- The nurse listened for a heart murmur.
- Despite the pay cut, the staff accepted it without a murmur.
- A murmur of protest went through the crowd.
- The Prime Minister's speech was met with a sceptical murmur from the opposition benches.
- The existential threat was discussed only in anxious murmurs among the leadership.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
The word 'murmur' sounds like the sound it describes: a soft, repeated 'mur-mur-mur'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS AN AUDIBLE FLOW (a murmur of conversation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'шёпот' (whisper). A murmur is softer, less distinct, and often collective. The Russian 'ропот' is a closer match for 'murmur of discontent'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'murmur' for a loud sound. Using 'murmur' as a direct synonym for 'complain' (it is a specific, quiet type of complaining).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'murmur' used most specifically and technically?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Murmur' often describes a soft, continuous sound (e.g., of a crowd, water) or a subdued complaint. 'Mutter' specifically implies speaking in a low, unclear voice, often due to irritation, anger, or reluctance.
Yes, but it implies the complaint is quiet, private, and not openly confrontational (e.g., 'There were murmurs of discontent about the new rules').
It is a medical term for an abnormal, extra, or unusual sound heard between heartbeats, often caused by turbulent blood flow within the heart.
It is neutral but leans slightly formal, especially as a verb meaning 'to say quietly'. In descriptive writing, it is common. 'Mutter' or 'whisper' are more frequent in casual speech for the verbal action.