I. rum ‧ ble 1 /ˈrʌmb ə l/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Origin: Probably from early Dutch rommelen , from the sound ]
1 . [intransitive] to make a series of long low sounds, especially a long distance away from you:
We could hear thunder rumbling in the distance.
2 . [intransitive always + adverb/preposition] to move slowly along while making a series of long low sounds:
We watched the tanks rumbling past the window.
3 . [intransitive] if your stomach rumbles, it makes a noise, especially because you are hungry
4 . [transitive] British English informal to find out what someone is secretly intending to do:
How did you rumble them?
5 . [intransitive and transitive] American English old-fashioned to fight with someone
rumble on phrasal verb
if a disagreement rumbles on, it continues for a long time SYN drag on :
The row about pay is still rumbling on.
II. rumble 2 BrE AmE noun [singular]
a series of long low sounds
rumble of
the low rumble of traffic in the distance
the distant rumble of gunfire
• • •
THESAURUS
■ a quiet sound
▪ hum a quiet low continuous sound, especially from electrical equipment, traffic, an engine, or people’s conversation:
The only sound was the faint hum of the air-conditioning unit.
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He could hear the hum of distant traffic.
▪ rustle a continuous quiet sound from papers, leaves, or clothes when they rub together:
She heard the rustle of dried leaves behind her.
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the rustle of silk dresses
▪ murmur a quiet low continuous sound, especially from people’s voices that are far away:
The murmur of voices died away.
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They spoke in a low murmur.
▪ rumble a series of long low sounds, especially from big guns, traffic, or ↑ thunder :
I heard a rumble of thunder.
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the low rumble of a train approaching