grumble

Grumble is a verb meaning to complain in a bad-tempered or muttered way, or to murmur dissatisfaction. It often describes low, discontented speech rather than loud protest. People grumble about work, weather, or delays, sometimes grumbling to others or under their breath. The verb can take the prepositions about or at: grumble about the price, grumble at the decision.

As a noun, grumble refers to a complaint or a low, rumbling sound. It can describe the stomach's rumble, the growl of machinery, or a general mood of dissatisfaction: a grumble from the crowd, the engine’s grumble.

Grumble has several inflected forms, including grumbles, grumbled, and grumbling. Common collocations include grumble about and grumble to someone. The term is often used to convey irritability or reluctance without overt anger, and may appear in informal or humorous contexts to describe minor annoyances.

See also: gripe, moan, mutter. In literature and everyday speech, grumble is a lightweight, non-confrontational way to express dissatisfaction.