unmute

[ uhn-myoot ]

/ ənˈmyut /

Save This Word!

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

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "IS" VS. "ARE"

"Is" it time for a new quiz? "Are" you ready? Then prove your excellent skills on using "is" vs. "are."

Question 1 of 7

IS and ARE are both forms of which verb?

have

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, unmyelinated fiber, Unna boot, unnail

How to use unmute in a sentence

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
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
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