muffle
1 Americanverb (used with object)
-
to wrap with something to deaden or prevent sound.
to muffle drums.
-
to deaden (sound) by wrappings or other means.
-
to wrap or envelop in a cloak, shawl, coat, etc., especially to keep warm or protect the face and neck (often followed byup ).
Muffle up the children before they go out.
-
to wrap (oneself) in a garment or other covering.
muffled in silk.
-
to alter temporarily the profile of (a plaster mold) in order to run a base coat of plaster that will later be covered by a finish coat having the true profile.
noun
-
something that muffles.
-
muffled sound.
-
an oven or arched chamber in a furnace or kiln, used for heating substances without direct contact with the fire.
noun
verb
-
(often foll by up) to wrap up (the head) in a scarf, cloak, etc, esp for warmth
-
to deaden (a sound or noise), esp by wrapping
-
to prevent (the expression of something) by (someone)
noun
-
something that muffles
-
a kiln with an inner chamber for firing porcelain, enamel, etc, at a low temperature
noun
Etymology
Origin of muffle1
First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English muffelen “to veil, cover”; probably a derivative of Old French moufle “mitten”; muff
Origin of muffle2
First recorded in 1600–10; from Middle French mufle “muzzle, snout,” probably blend of moufle “chubby face” and museau muzzle
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.
Danny tried to cover his ears but it didn’t muffle the sound.
From Literature
The fog seemed to muffle the sound of Tiamat's footsteps.
From Literature
He repeated this to Ma when she came back came through the doorway, his voice muffled by the nails held in his mouth. “. hia!”
From Literature
This muffles what the boys are saying out loud—because I can hear that, too, of course—but nothing stops me from hearing their thoughts.
From Literature
The boys were mere feet away, but the ash muffled the noise so that Buzz almost missed their yells.
From Literature
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.
