Quick answer
Murmur means a soft low sound, or to speak quietly and indistinctly. It is usually pronounced MUR-mer, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Murmur
Murmur means a soft low sound, or to speak quietly and indistinctly. It belongs to speech, noise, and verbal nonsense and works best in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language. It is still understandable today, but it usually sounds more vivid and deliberate than ordinary modern vocabulary.
At a glance
speechnoiseverbal-nonsense
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, murmur refers to a soft low sound, or to speak quietly and indistinctly. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Murmur feels absurd because its repeated sounds give it a bounce or wobble that makes the word feel half descriptive and half sound effect.
Origin and history
Murmur is generally traced to origin uncertain. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Murmur is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
Example sentences
- The column dismissed the whole rumor as murmur.
- In the novel, one murmur is enough to derail the dinner party.
- She used murmur in the essay because the plain modern word felt too bland.
- The teacher paused to explain murmur before asking the class to use it in context.
- They kept repeating murmur because the sound of it was almost as memorable as the meaning.
When should you use this word?
Use murmur when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language.
Similar words
anarchic, babble, bellow, blather, bloviate
Opposite or contrasting words
calm, clarity, order
Common questions
- What does murmur mean? a soft low sound, or to speak quietly and indistinctly.
- How do you pronounce murmur? It is commonly pronounced MUR-mer.
- Is murmur still used today? Murmur is uncommon today, but it still makes sense to modern readers because the tone and meaning come across quickly once you see it in context.
- When should you use murmur? Use murmur when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in complaints about jargon, gossip, fuss, and the many noises people make with language.
- What words are similar to murmur? Similar words include anarchic, babble, bellow, and blather.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.