What does murmuringly mean?
Murmuringly means in a low, continuous, indistinct manner, especially when referring to speech. It can suggest that someone is speaking softly, muttering, or addressing themselves rather than making a clear, forceful communication. The word gives “quietly” a more particular vocal quality: a quietness marked by continuous sound, limited articulation, and sometimes inward absorption. It may describe a person speaking, as in “she murmured the reply,” or a surrounding sound, as in a stream murmuring through a valley. The adverb is relatively uncommon and literary, so “softly,” “quietly,” or “mutteringly” may often sound more natural in everyday speech. Its form reflects its relationship to the present participle “murmuring”: the central verb “murmur” names the low, indistinct sound, while the addition of “-ing” and “-ly” creates an adverb describing that manner of speaking or sound-making.
adverbIn a murmuring manner, especially with a low, continuous, indistinct voice; softly or mutteringly.
- In a low, continuous, indistinct or muttering manner.
"She read the letter murmuringly to herself, pausing over each unfamiliar word."
"The stream continued murmuringly beneath the old stone bridge."
"She read the letter murmuringly to herself, pausing over each unfamiliar word."
Murmuringly is “quietly” with texture: it evokes a voice that is low, continuous, and often half-directed inward.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does murmuringly come from?
The English verb “murmur” came through Middle English from Old French murmer, ultimately from Latin murmurare, a word associated with a low, indistinct sound. The present participle “murmuring” supplied the base for the formation of “murmuringly” with the adverbial suffix “-ly.” English relatives sharing the same root include “murmurous” and “murmuration,” the latter also continuing Latin murmuratio.
Related word forms
How murmuringly is actually used
Relatively uncommon and literary. It is more specific than “quietly,” suggesting an indistinct, sustained murmur rather than merely an absence of loudness.
Easily confused with murmuringly
“Murmuringly” is an adverb describing how an action or utterance is performed, while “murmuring” is a verb or participle describing the act of speaking or making a low, indistinct sound.