muted
Americanadjective
adjective
-
(of a sound or colour) softened
a muted pink shirt
-
(of an emotion or action) subdued or restrained
his response was muted
-
(of a musical instrument) being played while fitted with a mute
muted trumpet
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of muted
Explanation
Something muted has a softened tone or quieted sound. When you try to listen through the wall at what someone is saying, it's really muted and mumbly, even if you put a glass to your ear. When you mute the TV or computer speakers, all of the sound goes quiet, but something described as muted is just toned down or turned down. When you whisper you speak in a muted voice; it's not completely quiet or no one would hear you, but it's quiet enough to muffle the sounds or secrets you share. Muted colors don’t stand out as much as bright ones. Beiges and soft grays are muted, and they're great for showing off bright contrasts like a turquoise scarf or red tie.
Vocabulary lists containing muted
The Cay
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Long Way Down
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Shhhh! Synonyms for "Quiet"
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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.
Muted beiges and grays, signature to Dior’s palette, were enlivened with exuberant bursts of color — saffron yellow socks, lilac blue sandals, and handbags, and vividly striped sweaters.
From Seattle Times • Jan. 19, 2024
Muted state coverage of his funeral stands in contrast to the outpouring of sorrow among ordinary Chinese.
From BBC • Nov. 2, 2023
Muted client demand led manufacturers to cut their staffing levels at the quickest pace since January.
From Reuters • May 4, 2023
Muted hues dominate the color palette: shades that wouldn’t be out of place in a Zen rock garden such as olive, gray and sand, or deeper hues like navy and burgundy.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2016
Muted brass instruments drone on like Charlie Brown’s parents.
From "Challenger Deep" by Neal Shusterman
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.
