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 Word Forms

• mattedly adverb
• mattedness 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

The schoolhouse is a dull, matted red, as are other architectural elements.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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".

Read more on BBC

Keeping dogs and other furry animals like cats well-groomed prevents the build-up of matted fur, which can make it harder for them to stay cool.

Read more on BBC

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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"Her hair was so matted with blood I tried to brush it. The stench of dried blood in her hair will haunt me forever. I will never forget that smell."

Read more on BBC