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
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
Sarah Han, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
Gone are the days of the ultra-matte liquid lipstick.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
It can even be combined with matte or pearlescent polishes to achieve dimensional contrasts.
—Laura Solla, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matte
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Adjective
The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too.
—Sarah Han, Allure, 9 Oct. 2025
Gone are the days of the ultra-matte liquid lipstick.
—Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
Another regret included low-quality finish coatings, especially on matte black, bronze, or brushed gold items.
—Lauren Bengtson, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Oct. 2025
It can even be combined with matte or pearlescent polishes to achieve dimensional contrasts.
—Laura Solla, Glamour, 25 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for matte
Cite this Entry
“Matte.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/matte. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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