matte

1 of 3

variants or matt

variant spellings of mat entry 3 sense 1

matte

2 of 3

adjective

ˈmat 

variants or less commonly mat or matt

: lacking or deprived of luster (see luster entry 1 sense 1) or gloss: such as

a

: having a usually smooth even surface free from shine or highlights

matte metals

a matte finish

b

: having a rough or granular (see granular sense 1) surface

matte

3 of 3

noun

ˈmat 

1

: a crude mixture of sulfides formed in smelting sulfide ores of metals (such as copper, lead, or nickel)

2

: a movie effect in which part of a scene is blocked out and later replaced by footage containing other material (such as a background painting)

Synonyms

Adjective

• dim
• dull
• dulled
• flat
• lusterless

Examples of matte in a Sentence

Adjective

a photograph with a matte finish

I chose a paint with a matte finish so the walls wouldn't be too shiny.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But unlike most matte lip products, this viral formula doesn't feel drying on the lips, courtesy of a whole host of skin-loving ingredients such as vitamin E, cotton seed oil, green tea oil and mango oil. —Denise Primbet, Glamour, 23 Dec. 2024

In one snap, their son, Bronze, 2, smiles in the front seat of a mini, matte black Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. —Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 26 Dec. 2024

Noun

The product has a matte finish, and can be used on its own as a subtle solution to nail discoloration. —Jenny Berg, Allure, 27 Jan. 2025

All the phones have matte finishes (and are fingerprint magnets). —Iyaz Akhtar, PCMAG, 23 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

French mat, from Old French, faded, defeated

Noun

French, from Middle French, crude metal, curdled milk, from feminine of mat thick, dull, matte

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1648, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

matte

1 of 2

variants or matt

variant of mat entry 3 sense 1

matte

2 of 2 adjective

variants also mat or matt

ˈmat

: lacking luster or gloss