muffler

American  

[muhf-ler] / ˈmʌf lər /

noun

mufflers plural

1. a scarf worn around one's neck for warmth.

2. any of various devices for deadening sound, as the sound of escaping gases of an internal-combustion engine.

3. anything used for muffling sound.

4. Armor. a mittenlike glove worn with a mail hauberk.

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muffler British  

/ ˈmʌflə /

noun

1. a thick scarf, collar, etc

2. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): silencer.  any device designed to reduce noise, esp the tubular device containing baffle plates in the exhaust system of a motor vehicle

3. something that muffles

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• mufflers
  plural

Etymology

Origin of muffler

First recorded in 1525–35; muffle ¹ + -er ¹

Example Sentences

He even came to see me in his second-hand car, which was lacking a muffler, and we drove noisily over to Bass Lake and went swimming.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 2, 2025

On March 29, the city’s Department of Construction and Inspections ordered Hudson to remove modifications to his Hellcat’s muffler and exhaust system by April 15 or face penalties of up to $1,300 per day.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2024

Neighbors reported the suspect was driving a pickup truck with a loud muffler and wearing a hooded sweater when he set the fire, according to the documents.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2024

According to court documents, a Portsmouth homeowner was working on his property in September 2020 when he heard the loud muffler of a passing car.

From Washington Times • May 3, 2023

Mr. Clyde stuck the fork in Vendor Reilly’s muffler and ordered him out of the garage, threatening him with dismissal if he didn’t show up early to begin working the French Quarter.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole