WordGarden.iomurmur
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /mˈɜːmə/
US
- /ˈmɜrmər/
Meanings
Verb
to say something in a low soft indistinct voice
to complain or speak with quiet dissatisfaction
to make a low soft continuous sound
Noun
a low soft continuous sound
a quiet expression of feeling, approval, or complaint
an abnormal heart sound caused by turbulent blood flow
Beyond the definition
A murmur is not a shout, and it is not silence either. It is a soft, low sound, often made by people speaking so quietly that the words are hard to catch. You might hear it in a classroom before the teacher arrives, in a crowd waiting for news, or in a room where people are sharing secrets. The word can also describe a gentle natural sound, like water moving over stones or wind passing through leaves.
As a verb, it means to speak in a low, quiet way. Someone might murmur a reply, a prayer, an apology, or a complaint. It often suggests something private, uncertain, or only half-heard. In older writing, it can also suggest quiet dissatisfaction, when people complain in low voices instead of speaking openly.
The word "murmur" refers to a soft, low, often continuous sound that is not heard clearly word by word. It often describes the blended sound of quiet voices, such as the murmur of conversation in a cafe, the murmur of a crowd before an announcement, or the murmur that passes through a courtroom when something surprising happens.
But "murmur" is not limited to human voices. It can also describe gentle natural sounds, such as a stream flowing over rocks, wind moving through trees, or water touching the shore. In these cases, the word gives a sense of softness, steadiness, and calm.
As a verb, "murmur" means to speak softly and not very clearly, often because a person does not want to be fully heard. Someone might murmur a name, an apology, a prayer, an answer, or a complaint. The word often carries a feeling of privacy, hesitation, tenderness, or unease, depending on the situation.
The word has also long been used for quiet complaint or low public discontent. People may murmur against a rule, a leader, or a decision when they are unhappy but not yet speaking out boldly. In a medical context, a "heart murmur" is an unusual sound heard between heartbeats, usually caused by blood not flowing in a completely smooth way.
Whether it describes soft speech, a low background sound, or quiet dissatisfaction, "murmur" suggests something subdued, gentle, and only partly clear.
Examples
- 1
Apology
He leaned closer and murmured, "I'm sorry."
- 2
Quiet thanks
She murmured a few words of thanks to the nurse.
- 3
Background voices
I could hear the murmur of voices in the next room.
- 4
Nature sound
The stream murmured beside the path all afternoon.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Crowd reaction
A murmur of surprise ran through the crowd.
- 6
Customer complaints
After the price increase, there were murmurs of discontent among customers.
- Phrasemurmurs of discontent
quiet signs that people are unhappy
- 7
No complaint
He accepted the decision without a murmur.
- Phrasewithout a murmur
without complaining
- 8
Medical exam
The doctor said the baby has a slight heart murmur.
- Domainheart murmur
an unusual sound in the heartbeat
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- murmurnounverb
Forms
- murmurspluralnounverb
- murmuring-ing formverbnoun
- murmuredpast tenseverbnoun