matte
1 Americanadjective
noun
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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:
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
Saar’s dear friend, artist and jeweler Neil Lane, recalls how she taught him to collage: slowly layering papers with matte medium and, of course, saving every scrap.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 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
He was satisfied to observe that the helicopters were painted a matte black.
From "American Gods" by Neil Gaiman
She said his fur was extremely matted and dirty, and although he was breathing, he was clearly distressed.
From BBC ● May 20, 2026
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
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 crouched, skinny and filthy, his hair and beard overgrown and matted.
From "The Night Diary" by Veera Hiranandani
It has seen the installation of a new drainage system and protective matting, with the local authority saying this has "removed the immediate risk" to homes below.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2025
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
Some of the bamboo matting gets moldy in spring and requires a scrub down.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 15, 2022
The road was crowded and there were screens of corn-stalk and straw matting on both sides and matting over the top so that it was like the entrance at a circus or a native village.
From "A Farewell To Arms" by Ernest Hemingway
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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.
