Mutter Meaning
/ˈmʌtə/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA repressed or obscure utterance; an instance of muttering.
verbTo utter words, especially complaints or angry expressions, indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; to say under one's breath.
Sentence Examples
Don't mutter to yourself under your breath, but speak clearly and distinctly.
Paul heard Amelia mutter: "Oh, shit!"
CEFR Practice Quiz
The unhappy employee began to ____ complaints under his breath about the new policy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I saw the old man ____ something under his breath as he walked away, but I couldn't quite hear the words he was saying to himself.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English muteren, moteren, of imitative origin. Compare Low German mustern, musseln (“to whisper”), German muttern (“to mutter; whisper”), Old Norse muðla (“to murmur”). Compare also Latin muttīre, mutīre.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This set – the set of Rosol's life – was studded with aces and menacing ground-strokes that left Nadal an impotent spectator often muttering to himself and at the umpire regarding a perceived misdemeanour by his opponent."
— 2012 June 28, Jamie Jackson, “Wimbledon 2012: Lukas Rosol shocked by miracle win over Rafael Nadal”, in the Guardian:
"Meantime your filthy foreigner will stare, / And mutter to himself."
— 1675, John Dryden, Aureng-zebe: A Tragedy. […], London: […] T[homas] N[ewcomb] for Henry Herringman, […], published 1676, →OCLC, (please specify the page number):
"Thick lightnings flash, the muttering thunder rolls."
— 1715–1720, Homer, translated by Alexander Pope, “Book VIII”, in The Iliad of Homer, volume (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The unhappy employee began to ____ complaints under his breath about the new policy.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I saw the old man ____ something under his breath as he walked away, but I couldn't quite hear the words he was saying to himself.