grumble

grumble — verb

1. to express annoyance or unhappiness in a low or repeated voice, often about mino

1.verbintransitiveB1
Definition

to express annoyance or unhappiness in a low or repeated voice, often about minor matters that do not justify such a strong reaction

Example

Selim grumbled about the cold coffee in the staff kitchen every morning.

grumble + about + noun phrase

Eleni's grandfather often grumbled that nobody wrote letters anymore.

grumble + that-clause

Common collocations
  • grumble about the weather
  • grumble about the workload
  • grumble under one's breath
  • grumble constantly
  • grumble bitterly
Synonyms
  • complain

    more general and neutral; does not imply a low or quiet tone

  • moan

    more informal and passive; suggests ongoing unhappiness rather than a specific grievance

  • whine

    more negative; suggests a childish, high-pitched, or irritating tone

Antonyms
  • praise

    expresses approval instead of annoyance

  • applaud

    shows enthusiastic support, the opposite of complaining

Grammar Patterns

grumble + about + noun phrase / gerund

grumble + that-clause

grumble + at + person

Usage Note

Subject is typically a person expressing annoyance. Frequently used with 'about' to specify the cause, or with a that-clause for the content of the grievance. Common in informal contexts — stronger than 'mention' and weaker than 'rage'.

Common Mistakes

She grumbled him for being late.
She grumbled at him for being late.
grumble is intransitive; it cannot take a direct object. Use 'grumble at someone'.
He grumbled to complain about the food.
He grumbled about the food.
adding 'to complain' is redundant; grumble already carries the meaning of complaining.

2. to make a low, continuous rumbling noise, describing the sound of a hungry stoma

2.verbintransitiveB2
Definition

to make a low, continuous rumbling noise, describing the sound of a hungry stomach, distant thunder, or an old machine struggling to work

Example

Nia's stomach grumbled loudly during the silent exam, and everyone turned to look.

stomach + grumble + during

Thunder grumbled in the distance as Rafael closed the windows before the storm hit.

thunder + grumbles

Common collocations
  • stomach grumbles
  • thunder grumbles
  • engine grumbles
  • pipes grumble
Synonyms
  • rumble

    interchangeable for non-living subjects; more general than grumble

  • growl

    harsher, deeper, and often threatening; used for animals and people

Grammar Patterns

stomach + grumble(s)

thunder / pipes / engine + grumble(s)

Usage Note

Most common with stomach as the subject, especially about hunger. For machines and natural phenomena, the sound is deeper and more continuous than a 'growl'. Usually not used for intentional sounds produced by people — use 'growl' for a threatening human sound.

Common Mistakes

He grumbled to scare the stranger.
He growled to scare the stranger.
people growl; stomachs and thunder grumble.

grumble — noun

Word family

  • grumbled
    verbB1
  • grumbling
    verbB1
  • grumbling
    nounB2
  • grumbler
    nounB2
  • grumbly
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words describe expressing dissatisfaction, but they differ in tone and intensity. 'Complain' is the most general and neutral term — you can complain about anything, loudly or quietly, formally or informally. 'Grumble' adds a quieter, more repetitive quality; a person who grumbles is often muttering in a low voice rather than making a formal complaint. 'Moan' is more passive and informal, suggesting ongoing unhappiness without any expectation of change ('He spent the whole evening moaning about his job'). 'Whine' carries a distinctly negative, childish tone, often with a high-pitched voice that irritates listeners. 'Gripe' is informal American English for a specific, small complaint. Compare: 'Selim complained about the deadline' (neutral), 'Selim grumbled about the deadline under his breath' (quiet annoyance), 'Selim whined about the deadline' (immature tone).

complain ↗moanwhinegripe

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • have a grumble
  • main grumble
  • without a grumble
  • a few grumbles

Prepositions

Etymology

FrenchDutchEnglish

The word 'grumble' came into English in the mid-1500s from the French word 'grommeler', meaning to murmur or mutter. It is thought to be related to similar sound-imitating words in Dutch ('grommelen') and German ('grummen'), which all try to capture the low, repeated rumbling sound of someone complaining under their breath. The stomach sense developed in the early 1800s, when people started using the same word for the noise a hungry stomach makes.