How to pronounce mumble
Say it like MUHM-bul. Mumble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUHM).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce mumble. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- MUHM
- bul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Mumble pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- MUHMSay 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 mumble
American and British speakers say mumble in essentially the same way: /ˈmʌmbəl/ in the US and /ˈmʌmbəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: MUHM-bul.
What does mumble mean?
- To speak unintelligibly or inaudibly; to fail to articulate.“Please try not to mumble so I can hear you better.”
- To chew something gently with closed lips.
- A quiet or unintelligible vocalization; a low tone of voice.“All I could hear was a mumble from the next room.”
Where does mumble come from?
From Middle English momelen, a frequentative of mum (sense 3) (“silent”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with mumble
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of mumble.
Questions about saying mumble
How do you pronounce mumble?
Say MUHM-bul. The American pronunciation is /ˈmʌmbəl/. In British English it is /ˈmʌmbəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in mumble?
Mumble has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (MUHM). Broken into parts: MUHM · bul.
Do Americans and Brits say mumble the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈmʌmbəl/ and the British form is /ˈmʌmbəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.