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 motion-picture 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
Adjective
Red velvet makeup sees the classic red lip get a modern makeover with luxe matte or semi-matte formulas that add cosy dimension and glam opulence to makeup. Elle Turner, Glamour, 20 Nov. 2023 And Haus Labs by Lady Gaga's Optic Intensity Eco Gel Eyeliner Pencil in Black Onyx will coat the bottom lash line with an ultra-matte and smooth finish. Chelsea Avila, Allure, 24 Feb. 2023 The liquid lipstick has a semi-matte finish and is available in 13 super-saturated shades that won't bleed, thanks to its patented curved applicator that ensures the ultimate precision. Jennifer Ford, Forbes, 21 May 2021 Available in over 40 shades, it’s made to offer medium-to-full coverage and a semi-matte finish. Sam Peters, ELLE, 28 Feb. 2023 But while this might remind the viewer of Op Art, Frieling and Wouters would rather emphasize how a super-matte finish makes this effect possible. Whitney Mallett, Curbed, 2 June 2022 In this kitchen by Romanek Design Studio, one of the walls is covered in a slab of natural stone while the other is lined with edgy matte black tiles. Hadley Mendelsohn, House Beautiful, 22 Dec. 2022 Its matte black ceramic bezel, minimalist black dial and supple black Oysterflex bracelet lend this sport watch major evening wear vibes. Victoria Gomelsky, Robb Report, 17 Dec. 2022 Can’t Stop, featuring a matte black shade with a little bling. Hedy Phillips, Peoplemag, 28 Nov. 2022
Noun
The new brand has a sleek matte bottle design and is sold for $25 online and in select retailers. Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 15 Apr. 2024 The fan has a matte black finish with twisted fan blades to provide porches, patios, and interior spaces with more airflow. Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2024 Nutribullet Pro 900 This compact and optimized 900-watt personal blender comes in an array of colors, including exclusive matte editions, only available through the Nutribullet website. Anna Tingley, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 Her dream is made into a reality with 10 products including Featuring You, a hydrating skin tint with SPF 30, Word of Mouth, a matte lipstick, and GlideLine, a waterproof liquid liner. Akili King, Essence, 3 Apr. 2024 The case is as modest as possible, featuring a plain (boring) fully matte body. Dua Rashid / Gizmodo, Quartz, 24 Mar. 2024 Soapstone countertops can help increase your home's selling price by 3%, and matte black fixtures, cabinets, and other decor raises the dollar amount by 2.9%. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Mar. 2024 The Maiden has brushed gold accents in the bathrooms, and the Biltmore has matte black accents. Hope Hodge Seck, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024 These sheets look clean, matte, and crisp while the 270-thread count long-staple cotton guarantees a lightweight, breathable feel — all at a competitive price point. Anamaria Glavan, Allure, 16 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'matte.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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 25 Apr. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on matte

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!