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.
At the point the light became muted and subdued, and the noise from the crowd softened as they took in the spectacle.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
In the big picture, AI’s impact on job numbers has been “very muted right now,” said ADP Chief Economist Nela Richardson.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 10, 2026
The impact is muted because it instantly clarifies how needlessly trivial everything before it was.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 7, 2026
Peloton issued a muted revenue outlook for its new fiscal year as subscriber losses continue to deepen, overshadowing quarterly profit gains and virtually flat revenue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
The pastry covering offers muted flavor before the spiced potatoes explode in taste, tangy and hot.
From "Saints and Misfits" by S.K. Ali
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.
