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Mutter vs Muffle - What's the difference?

mutter | muffle |

As nouns the difference between mutter and muffle

is that mutter is a repressed or obscure utterance; an instance of muttering while muffle is anything that mutes or deadens sound.

As verbs the difference between mutter and muffle

is that mutter is to utter words, especially complaints or angry expressions, indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; to say under one's breath while muffle is to wrap (a person, face etc) in fabric or another covering, for warmth or protection; often with up .

mutter

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • A repressed or obscure utterance; an instance of muttering.
    • The prisoners were docile, and accepted their lot with barely a mutter .
  • (in Indian restaurants) peas

    • Derived terms

    * mutter paneer

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To utter words, especially complaints or angry expressions, indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; to say under one's breath.
    • You could hear the students mutter as they were served sodden spaghetti, yet again, in the cafeteria.
    The beggar muttered words of thanks, as passersby dropped coins in his cup.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2012 , date=June 28 , author=Jamie Jackson , title=Wimbledon 2012: Lukas Rosol shocked by miracle win over Rafael Nadal , work=the Guardian citation , page= , passage=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.}}
  • To speak softly and incoherently, or with imperfect articulations.
    • The asylum inmate muttered some doggerel about chains and pains to himself, over and over.
  • * Dryden
    • Meantime your filthy foreigner will stare, / And mutter to himself.
  • To make a sound with a low, rumbling noise.
    • April could hear the delivery van's engine muttering in the driveway.
  • * Alexander Pope
    • Thick lightnings flash, the muttering thunder rolls.

    Synonyms

    * (sense, speak under one's breath) growl, grumble, mumble * (speak incoherently) babble, mumble, murmur, ramble, stutter * (make a low sound) growl, putter, rumble * See also

    muffle

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Anything that mutes or deadens sound.
  • A warm piece of clothing for the hands.
  • A kiln or furnace, often electric, with no direct flames (a muffle furnace)
  • The bare end of the nose between the nostrils, especially in ruminants.

    • Verb

    (muffl)
  • To wrap (a person, face etc.) in fabric or another covering, for warmth or protection; often with up .
  • * Addison
    • The face lies muffled up within the garment.
  • * Dryden
    • He muffled with a cloud his mournful eyes.
  • * Arbuthnot
    • muffled up in darkness and superstition
  • To wrap up or cover (a source of noise) in order to deaden the sound.
    • to muffle the strings of a drum, or that part of an oar which rests in the rowlock
  • To mute or deaden (a sound etc.).
  • * 1999 , (George RR Martin), A Clash of Kings , Bantam 2011, p. 397:
    • The singer's voice was muffled by the thick walls, yet Tyrion knew the verse.
  • (dated) To speak indistinctly, or without clear articulation.
  • (dated) To prevent seeing, or hearing, or speaking, by wraps bound about the head; to blindfold; to deafen.