mutters

Mutters is the third-person singular present tense of the verb mutter. It denotes speaking in a low, indistinct voice, or murmuring, often out of irritation, doubt, or resignation. A mutter is typically brief and not clearly heard by others; the verb can take objects, as in “he mutters an apology” or “she mutters a response.” The phrase “to mutter under one’s breath” is a common idiom used to describe aretic or private protest voiced softly.

As a noun, mutters is uncommon; more frequently one speaks of mutterings or a mutter as a single, indistinct utterance. In literary and journalistic usage, mutter may be used to convey a character’s mood without explicit dialogue, or to report a quiet, half-formed remark.

Etymology and related forms: The verb mutter derives from older forms in English with a long-standing sense of speaking quietly. The form mutters is simply the present-tense conjugation alongside other standard English inflections and does not indicate a separate meaning. Related terms include muttering, mutterings, murmuring, and grumble, all describing subdued or inconclusive speech.

See also: mutterings, muttering, murmuring, grumble.