Definition

1. Verb:

   • To complain in a low, quiet, and often bad-tempered way: To express dissatisfaction or annoyance, typically about something trivial, in a muttered or surly manner.
   • To make a low, continuous, rumbling sound: To produce a deep, heavy, rolling noise, like distant thunder or a growling stomach.

2. Noun:

   • A low, muttered complaint: An expression of discontent made in a grumbling manner.
   • A low, rumbling sound: A continuous, deep, dull noise.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (to complain):
  • He tends to grumble about the weather every morning.
  • The customers grumbled about the slow service.
• Verb (to make a sound):
  • Thunder grumbled in the distance.
  • My stomach grumbled with hunger.
• Noun (a complaint):
  • She let out a grumble about having to work late.
  • His constant grumbles were tiresome.
• Noun (a sound):
  • The grumble of the machinery filled the factory.
  • We heard the deep grumble of an approaching storm.

Advanced Usage

• "To grumble into": To complain in a muffled way, often into one's chest or beard.
  • He just grumbled into his coffee and didn't look up.
• "To have a grumble" (idiomatic, chiefly British): To express complaints, often in a way that is seen as a temporary release rather than serious anger.
  • We sat down to have a good grumble about our boss.

Variants and Related Words

• Grumbler (noun): A person who grumbles frequently.
  • He's a terrible grumbler; nothing ever pleases him.
• Grumblingly (adverb): In a grumbling manner.
  • He agreed grumblingly to help.

Synonyms

• Verb (complain): Mutter, moan, grouse, whine, gripe.
• Verb (sound): Rumble, growl, roar, drone.
• Noun (complaint): Moan, gripe, grouse, murmur.
• Noun (sound): Rumble, growl, roar, drone.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Grumble about/at/over: To complain about someone or something.
  • He's always grumbling about the traffic.
  • She grumbled at the children for making a mess.
• Grumble out: To say something in a grumbling manner.
  • He grumbled out an apology.

Related Idioms

• A grumbling appendix: (Medical, informal) An appendix causing intermittent, low-grade pain.
  • The doctor said his abdominal pain was from a grumbling appendix.
• To have a bone to pick / To have a grumble (similar sentiment): To have a reason for complaining or being annoyed with someone.
  • I've got a bone to pick with you about the report you submitted. (This is more direct than "having a grumble").

Noun

1. a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
2. a loud low dull continuous noise
   • they heard the rumbling of thunder

Verb

1. make a low noise
   • rumbling thunder
2. to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
   • he grumbled a rude response
   • Stones grumbled down the cliff
3. make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
   • she grumbles when she feels overworked
4. show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
   • He scolded about anything that he thought was wrong
   • We grumbled about the increased work load