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

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".

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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.

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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.

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"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."

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The first major bathing day, Tuesday, will see ash-smeared naked Hindu holy men with matted dreadlocks, known as Naga sadhus, take a dip in the northern Indian city at dawn.

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