How to pronounce grumble
Say it like GRUHM-bul. Grumble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GRUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce grumble. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- GRUHM
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Grumble pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- GRUHMSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "u" in cup.
- bulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of grumble
American and British speakers say grumble in essentially the same way: /ˈɡrʌmbəl/ in the US and /ˈɡrʌmbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: GRUHM-bul.
What does grumble mean?
- To make a low, growling or rumbling noise, like a hungry stomach or certain animals.“The distant thunder grumbles.”
- To complain; to murmur or mutter with discontent; to make ill-natured complaints in a low voice and a surly manner.“He grumbles about the food constantly, but has yet to learn to cook.”
- To utter in a grumbling fashion.
- A high thundering, rumbling or growling sound.
- The sound made by a hungry stomach.
- A surly complaint.“That whiner is never without a grumble to share.”
Where does grumble come from?
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”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with grumble
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of grumble.
Questions about saying grumble
How do you pronounce grumble?
Say GRUHM-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈɡrʌmbəl/. In British English it is /ˈɡrʌmbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in grumble?
Grumble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (GRUHM). Broken into parts: GRUHM · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say grumble the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈɡrʌmbəl/ and the British form is /ˈɡrʌmbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.