Murmur
noun /ˈmɜːmər/ — A soft, low, continuous sound — gentle enough to almost be silence.
Definition
A low, continuous sound, like that of a person speaking softly, water running gently, or distant conversation; also, a softly expressed complaint or concern.
Beyond the definition
A murmur is intimacy at the level of sound — it requires closeness to hear, and hearing it implies proximity. The murmur of a river, a sleeping house, a crowd seen from far away. All suggest presence without immediacy.
Origin & history
From Latin murmurare — to murmur, to rumble (imitative of the sound itself). An onomatopoeic word: the word sounds like the thing it describes. Language trying to become sound.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The murmur of the river below was the only sound — it made the forest feel inhabited without being loud.
She heard a murmur from the next room and couldn't tell if it was a conversation or a television.
A murmur of dissatisfaction ran through the crowd — not quite a complaint, not yet a protest.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Murmur” when the meaning fits your context: A low, continuous sound, like that of a person speaking softly, water running gently, or distant conversation; also, a softly expressed complaint or concern.
Synonyms
whisper, hum, rustle, susurrus, purr, drone
Antonyms
shout, roar, clamor, silence
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Casual conversation in busy cafe
Two friends sit at a wooden table in a busy cafe, gesturing while they talk to each other.
The scene illustrates the visual analogy of a low, continuous flow of human speech in a social setting. It captures the nuance of soft, sustained interaction amidst other ambient noise.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Murmur" mean?
Murmur is noun meaning: A soft, low, continuous sound — gentle enough to almost be silence.. A low, continuous sound, like that of a person speaking softly, water running gently, or distant conversation; also, a softly expressed complaint or concern.
Where does the word "Murmur" come from?
From Latin murmurare — to murmur, to rumble (imitative of the sound itself). An onomatopoeic word: the word sounds like the thing it describes. Language trying to become sound.