[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/muttering/)

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# muttering

noun (muttering, mutterings); verb form (present participle of mutter)

«muttering» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. (verb form) -ing form of mutter: he was muttering to himself. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#m1)
2. (noun) Quiet, unclear speech, often complaining: we heard muttering at the back. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#m2)
3. (mutterings, plural) Quiet complaints or rumours from a group: mutterings of discontent. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#m3)

### In the lessons

In stories «muttering» shows grumpy or secret talk; in news «mutterings» means people are quietly unhappy. Phrases: muttering under his breath, mutterings about, muttering to herself.

### Examples

- The old man walked off, muttering to himself. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#x1)
- There was muttering in the crowd when the match was delayed. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#x2)
- Stop muttering and tell me what's wrong. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#x3)
- I could hear her muttering about homework. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#x4)
- Mutterings spread through the class when the test was announced. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#x5)
- He was muttering spells from his book. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#x6)
- But the dwarfs came a step nearer, muttering and whispering. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/#x7)

### Note

From the verb mutter (+ing). As a noun it is often plural: «mutterings». Similar: grumbling, mumbling.

## In Jewish tradition

It means low whispering, here the secret talk of enemies who plan harm.

**Interpretation.** Lamentations is read as the grieving of Jerusalem's people, and this verse shows them hurt by enemies who whisper against them all day.

### Examples

- The lips of those that rose up against me, and their muttering against me all the day. (Writings LAM.3.62, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/muttering/#x1)

### Note

From the verb mutter (+ing). As a noun it is often plural: «mutterings». Similar: grumbling, mumbling.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «muttering» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/muttering/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«muttering» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/muttering.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «muttering» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/muttering/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«muttering» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/muttering.html) on Mova free.