Murmur - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A murmur is a soft, indistinct sound made by people speaking quietly or by things like flowing water. It can also describe a low, continuous background noise.
Definition:
A soft, indistinct sound made by a person or group, often expressing discontent or secrecy.
Synonyms:
whisper, mutter, mumble, grumble
Part of Speech:
noun, verb
Antonyms:
shout, silence
Common Collocations:
low murmur, murmur of voices, murmur in the crowd
Derivatives:
murmuring, murmured
Usage Tips:
Use "murmur" to describe quiet sounds of speech or nature; avoid for loud noises.
Common Phrases:
murmur of approval, heart murmur, murmur under one's breath
Etymology:
From Latin "murmurare," meaning to make a low sound; imitative of the noise itself.
Examples:
- 1. The children murmured softly during the storytime.
- 2. She heard a faint murmur of voices from the next room.
- 3. He murmured an apology without looking up.
- 4. The stream’s gentle murmur soothed her nerves.