unmute

[ uhn-myoot ]

/ ənˈmyut /

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verb (used with object)

to remove a mute from (a musical instrument): His tone, in the rare moments when his trumpet was unmuted, was clean and clear.

to turn on (a microphone, a speaker, or audio), especially after it has been temporarily turned off or when muted sound is the default: During this part of the training the microphones will remain unmuted, so please keep background noise to a minimum.

verb (used without object)

to restore the sound, as from a microphone: When you ask questions, be sure to allow a couple of seconds for your remote audience members to unmute.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of unmute

First recorded in 1810–15; un-² + mute

Words nearby unmute

unmoved, unmoving, unmuffle, unmurmuring, unmusical, unmute, unmuzzle, unmyelinated, unnail, unnamed, unnatural

How to use unmute in a sentence

I want everybody to say the sound, and if you have low background noise, you can unmute.
Held Back: Inside a Lost School Year|by Annie Waldman, ProPublica, photography by Cydni Elledge|June 28, 2021|ProPublica
She unmuted her computer and their distorted voices echoed through the class, filling the virtual room with a static buzz.
Held Back: Inside a Lost School Year|by Annie Waldman, ProPublica, photography by Cydni Elledge|June 28, 2021|ProPublica
If he unmutes himself to speak, teachers do not hear his query because they’re busy talking to students actually sitting nearby.
Kids are returning to classrooms. But what will happen to those who stay at home?|Hannah Natanson, Donna St. George|April 11, 2021|Washington Post
Her teacher is shouting her name, trying to get her to return to the class Zoom, to unmute herself, to turn on her camera.
New Season of The Joy of x Podcast Explores Scientists’ Inner Lives|Ellen Horne|March 2, 2021|Quanta Magazine

Video conferencing has become vital to workers operating remotely, but with it have come certain challenges, like remembering to unmute when you want to talk on a call.
CEOs and executives can’t remember to unmute either|David Yanofsky|December 3, 2020|Quartz