grumble
/'grʌmbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
- a loud low dull continuous noise
- they heard the rumbling of thunder
Verb
- make a low noise
- rumbling thunder
- to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds
- he grumbled a rude response
- Stones grumbled down the cliff
- make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
- she grumbles when she feels overworked
- show one's unhappiness or critical attitude
- He scolded about anything that he thought was wrong
- We grumbled about the increased work load