matte

1 of 3
variants or matt

variant spellings of mat entry 3 sense 1

matte

2 of 3

adjective

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

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)

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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
Bathrooms feature the cool tones of white, beige, and mocha marble with creamy matte white stand alone tubs ready for staff to fill with bubbles at the guest’s request. Lauren Mowery, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025 The result is a waterproof, noncomedogenic formula that's perfectly matte and enriched with vitamin E for lasting hydration. Angela Trakoshis, Allure, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for matte 

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of matte was circa 1648

Dictionary Entries Near matte

Cite this Entry

“Matte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matte. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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

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