What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Murmur vs Rumble - What's the difference?

murmur | rumble |

In transitive terms the difference between murmur and rumble

is that murmur is to say (something) indistinctly, to mutter while rumble is to cause to pass through a rumble, or polishing machine.

As nouns the difference between murmur and rumble

is that murmur is low or indistinct sounds or speech while rumble is a low, heavy, continuous sound, such as that of thunder or a hungry stomach.

As verbs the difference between murmur and rumble

is that murmur is to grumble; to complain in a low, muttering voice, or express discontent {{term|at}} or {{term|against}} someone or something while rumble is to make a low, heavy, continuous sound.

As an interjection rumble is

an onomatopoeia describing a rumbling noise.

murmur

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • (countable) Low or indistinct sounds or speech.
  • * 1874 , (Marcus Clarke), (For the Term of His Natural Life) , chapter V:
  • In the prison of the 'tween decks reigned a darkness pregnant with murmurs . The sentry at the entrance to the hatchway was supposed to "prevent the prisoners from making a noise," but he put a very liberal interpretation upon the clause, and so long as the prisoners refrained from shouting, yelling, and fighting--eccentricities in which they sometimes indulged--he did not disturb them.
    A murmur arose from the audience.
  • * 1960 , , (Jeeves in the Offing) , chapter XI:
  • The moment had come for the honeyed word. I lowered my voice to a confidential murmur , but on her inquiring if I had laryngitis raised it again.
  • (medicine) The sound made by any condition which produces noisy, or turbulent, flow of blood through the heart.
  • A muttered complaint or protest; the expression of dissatisfaction in a low muttering voice; any expression of complaint or discontent
  • * 1919 , :
  • In fear of disease and in the interest of his health man will be muzzled and masked like a vicious dog, and that without any murmur of complaint.
  • * 1960 , , (Jeeves in the Offing) , chapter XX:
  • Glossop will return from his afternoon off to find the awful majesty of the Law waiting for him, complete with handcuffs. We can hardly expect him to accept an exemplary sentence without a murmur , so his first move will be to establish his innocence by revealing all.

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • * 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , (w) VI:
  • The iewes murmured att itt, because he sayde: I am thatt breed which is come doune from heven.
  • (label) To speak or make low, indistinguishable noise; to mumble, mutter.
  • *{{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers)
  • , chapter=7, title= A Cuckoo in the Nest , passage=“Oh yes,” he murmured in a tone of obligatory surprise, as he proceeded to make the kind of 2 which he attributed to Margaret's style of chirography.}}
  • (label) To say (something) indistinctly, to mutter.
  • * (William Shakespeare), 1 , II. 3.51
  • Iheard thee murmur tales of iron wars.

    Derived terms

    * murmuration * murmurer * murmuring * murmurless * murmurous

    Synonyms

    * See aslo

    rumble

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (dialectal)

    Interjection

    (en interjection)
  • An onomatopoeia describing a rumbling noise
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • A low, heavy, continuous sound, such as that of thunder or a hungry stomach.
  • The rumble from passing trucks made it hard to sleep at night.
  • (slang) A street fight or brawl.
  • A rotating cask or box in which small articles are smoothed or polished by friction against each other.
  • (dated) A seat for servants, behind the body of a carriage.
  • * Charles Dickens
  • Kit, well wrapped, was in the rumble behind.

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • To make a low, heavy, continuous sound.
  • If I don't eat, my stomach will rumble .
    I could hear the thunder rumbling in the distance.
  • To discover deceitful or underhanded behaviour.
  • The police is going to rumble your hideout.
  • To move while making a rumbling noise.
  • The truck rumbled over the rough road.
  • (slang) To fight; to brawl.
  • To cause to pass through a rumble, or polishing machine.
  • (obsolete) To murmur; to ripple.
  • * Spenser
  • to rumble gently down with murmur soft

    Anagrams

    * *