What does murmurous mean?
Murmurous is a literary adjective for something that produces a low, continuous, indistinct sound. It is especially effective for describing the background hum of a crowd, the rustle or movement of wind and leaves, flowing water, or many quiet voices heard together. The word can also describe a person speaking so softly that the words are difficult to distinguish. Its sound and meaning make it evocative rather than strictly technical, and it is more common in formal writing and descriptive prose than in ordinary conversation. A murmurous atmosphere is not necessarily quiet in a complete sense: it is often full of subtle, blended activity. The word is useful when the emphasis is on the texture of a sound rather than on its source or precise meaning.
adjectiveMaking a low, continuous sound, especially the indistinct hum of many people, wind, or water. It can also describe a voice or manner of speaking that is soft and difficult to hear.
- Making a low, continuous, indistinct sound.
- Characterized by a soft, low, or barely audible voice or manner of speaking.
"A murmurous crowd filled the hall as the results were announced."
"The murmurous sound of the river accompanied them along the path."
"She answered in a murmurous voice that was almost lost beneath the traffic."
Murmurous captures the low collective hum of a crowd, wind, or distant conversation: a sound that suggests activity without demanding attention.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of murmurous
Murmurous was formed in English from the noun and verb murmur, which comes through Old French murmer from Latin murmurare, meaning to speak low or make a low sound. The adjective suffix -ous gives it the sense of being characterized by murmuring. Its related English words include murmuring and murmuration, the latter ultimately referring to a low continuous sound and also to a flock of starlings whose synchronized movement creates such an effect.
Related word forms
How murmurous is actually used
Literary and descriptive rather than everyday. It often evokes a collective background sound, such as that of a crowd, wind, trees, or water, and can also imply that speech is quiet or indistinct.