matted

¹

[ mat-id ]

adjective

1. covered with a dense growth or a tangled mass:

   a garden matted with weeds.

2. formed into a mat; entangled in a thick mass:

   matted hair.

3. formed of mats, or of plaited or woven material.
4. covered with mats or matting.

matted

²

[ mat-id ]

adjective

1. having a dull finish; matte.

matted

/ ˈmætɪd /

adjective

1. tangled into a thick mass

   matted hair

2. covered with or formed of matting

Other Words From

• matted·ly adverb
• matted·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of matted¹

First recorded in 1600–10; mat ¹ + -ed ²

Origin of matted²

First recorded in 1815–25; matte ¹ + -ed ²

Example Sentences

In the new study, Morganti and colleagues turned their attention to the matted layer underneath the sponge colony, a smorgasbord of discarded spicules and blackened fossilized life, including empty worm tubes and mollusk shells.

From Science News

Salama al Sersawi leans on a bench, waiting to get his mound of matted hair reined in.

From The Daily Beast

Above the matted hair that concealed the jaws and cheeks, blue eyes stared out of cavernous sockets.

From The Daily Beast

The skull of the latter was found broken, as if by such a weapon, and its abundant hair matted with blood!

From Project Gutenberg

Weird shadows played about the mountains on the silver doors, and hid in far corners of the matted floor.

From Project Gutenberg

The Japanese matted floor, even in darkness, gives out a sort of ghostly, phosphorescent glow.

From Project Gutenberg

She had a dirty red bandanna tied over her dirty, matted hair and under her grimy double chin.

From Project Gutenberg

Fearing that Sarah would continue ill, wife and I removed this night to our matted chamber and lay there.

From Project Gutenberg