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
Finally, these leggings look great with flattering seam placement, a matte finish, and some gorgeous colors including pomegranate red and indigo blue. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024 Finally, the entire body is covered in three-part Kevlar armor that is painted matte black. Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 21 Mar. 2024 Kravitz's glam was also minimal, with her hair in sleek bun and her makeup with a simple smokey eye and nude matte lipstick. Stacy Lambe, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 Most pieces come in versatile warm brown or matte black. Amy Panos, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Feb. 2024 The matte glaze paired with raw edges gives the plates a modern style that is great for everyday use. Rachel Trujillo, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024 The fixtures are finished with smooth, clean lines in matte black for a simple yet classy look. Nora Colomer, Fox News, 8 Mar. 2024 The pieces are then finished with matte paint and a coat of varnish. Alexa Brazilian, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024 The lightweight liquid is long-lasting with buildable medium-to-ultra-high coverage and has a matte finish. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 27 Feb. 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 28 Mar. 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

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