Definition of GRUMBLE

grumble

Plural: grumbles

Noun

  • a loud low dull continuous noise
  • a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
  • A low thundering, rumbling or growling sound.
  • The sound made by a hungry stomach.
  • A surly complaint.

Verb

Verb Forms: grumbled, grumbling, grumbles

  • To complain in a low, indistinct voice; to mutter discontent.
  • show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
    • "We grumbled about the increased work load"
  • make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
    • "she grumbles when she feels overworked"
  • to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
    • "he grumbled a rude response"
    • "Stones grumbled down the cliff"
  • make a low noise
  • To make a low, growling or rumbling noise, like a hungry stomach or certain animals.
  • To complain; to murmur or mutter with discontent; to make ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner.
  • To utter in a grumbling fashion.

Examples

  • He grumbles about the food constantly, but has yet to learn to cook.
  • He would GRUMBLE quietly whenever an opponent played a challenging word.
  • That whiner is never without a grumble to share.
  • The distant thunder grumbles.

Origin / Etymology

Probably from Middle French grommeler, from Old French grumeler (“to murmur, grumble”), from Middle Dutch *grommelen ("to murmur, mutter, grunt"; > Modern Dutch grommelen (“to grumble”)), frequentative of Middle Dutch grommen (“to growl, grunt”). Cognate with Middle Low German grummelen (> Low German grummeln (“to grumble”)), German grummeln (“to grumble”), Norwegian dialectal grymja (“to growl, grunt”).

Scrabble Score: 12

grumble: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
grumble: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
grumble: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 17

grumble: valid Words With Friends Word