matte
1 Americanadjective
noun
-
a dull or dead surface, often slightly roughened, as on metals, paint, paper, or glass.
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a tool for producing such a surface.
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Metallurgy. an unfinished metallic product of the smelting of certain sulfide ores, especially those of copper.
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Movies. matte shot.
verb (used with object)
noun
noun
noun
Etymology
Origin of matte1
First recorded in 1640–50; from French mat (masculine), matte (feminine), Old French, from Late Latin mattus “moist, soft, weak,” perhaps from unattested maditus, derivative of Latin madēre “to be wet”
Origin of matte2
< German; akin to mat 1
Explanation
Matte things aren't shiny, but instead have a somewhat dull or flat surface. When you print out a photo, you can usually choose between a glossy or matte finish. The matte surface of your new refrigerator doesn't reflect your image the way your old shiny stainless steel one did, and your grandmother's excessive use of face powder gives her skin a matte look. Wall paint can be purchased in different finishes, ranging from matte (or flat) to glossy. The French root is mat, "dead, dull surface," from the Old French meaning, "dull or dejected," which may stem from the Latin mattus, "maudlin with drink."
Vocabulary lists containing matte
Pet
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Firekeeper's Daughter
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Monday's Not Coming
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Skinner recommends matte or sweat-proof SPF to help your make-up last longer.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 2026
But you don’t have to compute the coefficient to know that matte tiles are better than shiny ones, and small tiles are better than the big ones because the grout lines provide friction.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026
Plush toy versions of his cats and monkey characters sit on recently upholstered matte orange, cream and red booths.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026
This makes it possible to switch between glossy and matte finishes, producing visual effects that surpass what current screens can achieve.
From Science Daily ● Mar. 31, 2026
I look for old- model vans painted in matte, their tires always bald.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
The schoolhouse is a dull, matted red, as are other architectural elements.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
When you got away from the individual hairs, and now you had these brushstrokes that felt more like matted fur again, there was an interesting reality that came from that.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2025
Joan held her much-longed-for daughter for only for a few minutes – she remembers gazing at the newborn’s red face and matted hair.
From BBC ● Nov. 1, 2024
As erosion slows, marsh and streamside vegetation is rebounding and putting down densely matted root systems that can increasingly stand firm against flooding, or surging waves.
From Science Daily ● Jan. 31, 2024
While Gregor patted extra layers of silk onto Ripred’s matted fur, the rat muttered, “I suppose I ought to thank you.”
From "Gregor the Overlander" by Suzanne Collins
Wearing skullcaps, about 60 kneeled in the sun on green matting spread over bits of scrubby brown vegetation.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 20, 2023
Buttar expressed her shock at the lack of adequate crash matting and remarked during the sentencing that Watts was lucky to be alive, according to the news release.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 27, 2023
An England XI featuring Nasser Hussain and Alec Stewart lost by three runs chasing 177 in Amstelveen in 1989 on a sodden matting pitch.
From BBC ● Nov. 7, 2023
Families pick the type of frame and matting and then a professional framer gets started.
From New York Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
There was a candle burning just outside, and on the matting in the gallery.
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
