murmur
a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
How often you will meet it
Rank 2,924 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 5,620 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.003% of every word in the library.
What it means
noun
- a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech also: mutter, muttering, murmuring, murmuration, mussitation
- a schwa that is incidental to the pronunciation of a consonant also: murmur vowel
- an abnormal sound of the heart; sometimes a sign of abnormal function of the heart valves also: heart murmur, cardiac murmur
- a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone also: grumble, grumbling, murmuring, mutter, muttering
verb
- speak softly or indistinctly She murmured softly to the baby in her arms
- make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath also: mutter, grumble, croak, gnarl she grumbles when she feels overworked
murmur in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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All this verbiage sounded like a confused murmur to Mme. Favoral’s ears.
Other People's Money · Emile Gaboriau · Chapter 1
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John caught a murmur: "The old Demon and I would get along capitally."
The Hill: A Romance of Friendship · Horace Annesley Vachell · Chapter 1
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Murmur not, and remember that the gods never lay a heavier weight on any man than he can bear.
An Egyptian Princess — Volume 07 · Georg Ebers · Chapter 1
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Through the deep Hush of the woods a murmur seemed to creep, The Schuylkill whispering in a voice of sleep.
Pennsylvania Pilgrim, and other poems Part 6 From — Volume I · John Greenleaf Whittier · Chapter 1
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They by parks and lodges going See the lordly castles stand; Summer woods, about them blowing, Made a murmur in the land.
Poems Every Child Should Know · Mary E. (Mary Elizabeth) [Editor] Burt · Chapter 1