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.
-
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:
They brought in minimalist and retro aesthetics, and matte finishes, to craft packaging that read as upscale, making for clean, consistent visuals across aisles.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026
Skinner recommends matte or sweat-proof SPF to help your make-up last longer.
From BBC ● Jul. 30, 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
She blinked and Bitter’s face came into focus, a piece at a time, the hard cheekbones, the bare eyebrows, the broad mouth pressed with a matte red.
From "Pet" by Akwaeke Emezi
The schoolhouse is a dull, matted red, as are other architectural elements.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 31, 2025
She travelled to the animal charity's Glasgow base to collect him and found George "more or less fine, save for some matted fur and bad teeth".
From BBC ● Sep. 17, 2025
The job was messy because recent rains had created a muddy scene for the volunteers who had to collect the bunnies, most of which had matted fur.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 4, 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
He took Ben’s arm and drew him up and they went to the fence and stood side by side there, peering between the matted honeysuckle not yet in bloom.
From "The Sound and the Fury" by William Faulkner
Brown previously explained that the club would protect the stadium's artificial grass by covering it with special matting.
From BBC ● May 29, 2026
The UAW said grievances have been filed about problems with ventilation fans, ergonomic matting, personal protective equipment, flooding, basement lighting, oil leaks and other issues.
From Seattle Times ● May 6, 2024
Rabbit adopters must perform perpetual grooming to keep the rabbit’s fur from matting and must keep a close eye on the bunnies’ diet and poops.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 4, 2024
Families pick the type of frame and matting and then a professional framer gets started.
From New York Times ● Oct. 8, 2022
Rain matting the hair over his collar, forming a little pool in the space between his boots.
From "Jazz" by Toni Morrison
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
