Word
grumble
Phoneticsgrum·ble, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɡɹəmbəɫ/
UK/ɡɹˈʌmbəl/
Definitions
01to complain
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to complain about something in a quiet, unhappy way.
v. to murmur or mutter with discontent; to express dissatisfaction in a low, surly tone.
“The passengers began to grumble about the train delay after waiting for an hour.”
“The staff would frequently grumble about the new management's policies, though rarely did anyone voice these concerns during official meetings.”
Usage
Often used with 'about' or 'at'.
Antonyms
02to rumble
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to make a low, heavy sound like thunder or a hungry stomach.
v. to emit a low, continuous, and muffled sound; typically used for inanimate objects or physiological processes.
“I forgot to eat breakfast, and now my stomach has started to grumble.”
“Thunder began to grumble in the distance, warning the hikers that the clear afternoon sky was about to change.”
Usage
Intransitive; does not take a direct object.
03a complaint
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. a quiet complaint or a feeling of being unhappy with something.
n. a surly or low-voiced complaint; an expression of minor discontent.
“There was a bit of a grumble from the crowd when the show started late.”
“Despite the general success of the project, there was a persistent grumble among the senior engineers regarding the lack of technical documentation.”
Usage
Countable.
04a rumbling sound
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Literary
n. a low, deep sound that continues for a short time.
n. a low-frequency acoustic event, such as the sound of distant thunder or intestinal activity.
“The distant grumble of the volcano kept the villagers awake all night.”
“The low grumble of the heavy machinery provided a constant, vibrating backdrop to the daily life of the factory workers.”
Usage
Countable.
Real-World Examples
“He inherited the schedule when he came to the club in late March and has done a fair bit of grumbling about it.” 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”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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