muffler

American  

[muhf-ler] / ˈmʌf lər /

noun

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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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

Soon after, Kelce bought the old muffler shop and, along with Operation Breakthrough and another nonprofit called MINDDRIVE, helped launch the Ignition Lab.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 5, 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

It wasn’t long ago we were America’s Singapore, a nanny state that might ticket you for anything from jaywalking to spitting to driving around with a noisy muffler.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 15, 2023

Dr. Talc saw again Mr. Reilly with his massive muffler and that awful girl anarchist with the valise who traveled around with Mr. Reilly and littered the campus with leaflets.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole