matte

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variants: or matt

Definition of matte

(Entry 1 of 3)

variant spellings of mat entry 3 1

matte

adjective

\ ˈmat

variants: or less commonly mat or matt

Definition of matte (Entry 2 of 3)

: 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

noun

\ ˈmat

Definition of matte (Entry 3 of 3)

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)

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about matte

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Synonyms & Antonyms for matte

Synonyms: Adjective

Antonyms: Adjective

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 Tis the day to pucker up with one of Target’s best-selling vegan lipstick brands that goes on smooth and silky with a fully matte finish. — Marissa Miller, USA TODAY, "15 amazing Valentine's Day gifts to buy from Black-owned brands," 4 Feb. 2021 When your skin is perfectly matte but dewy, define your brows with Anastasia Beverly Hills’s Dip Brow Gel, Brow Definer, and Clear Brow Gel. — Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, "All of Michelle Obama's Inauguration Beauty Secrets, Revealed," 22 Jan. 2021 The matte-black edition was created with Leica’s Q2 Monochrom in mind. — Jennifer Pastore, WSJ, "What to Get a Photography Buff for the Holidays," 22 Dec. 2020 Some sanding may also be required to remove a glossier sheen before applying a flat or matte product. — Michael Pollick, chicagotribune.com, "The best exterior house paint," 19 Dec. 2020 Get the Husky Industrial 15-Drawer Tool Chest and Rolling Cabinet Combo for $798 (Save $100): This matte black cabinet comes with power strips and LED lights for an all-in-one station. — Melissa Lee, USA TODAY, "The Home Depot has major discounts for Black Friday 2020—here are the best deals," 24 Nov. 2020 What makes this look by Jessica Reohr eye-catching is the mix of glossy and matte finishes. — Jennifer Aldrich, Better Homes & Gardens, "5 Thanksgiving Nail Designs to Let Your Manicure Take Center Stage This Year," 16 Nov. 2020 All have a matte black finish with the constriction clearly marked on the extended portion. — Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, "The Waterfowl Hunter’s Holiday Gift Guide," 16 Nov. 2020 The semi-matte finish is luxe-looking enough for special occasions but practical enough for everyday wear. — Krystin Arneson, CNN Underscored, "Oprah’s Favorite Things have arrived on Amazon: Shop the giftable list now," 11 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The matte finish is appreciated by T-zones everywhere, and the breakthrough complex Helioplex (launched in 2006) keeps UV filters stable and effective in direct sunshine. — Sarah Kinonen, Allure, "Allure Editors' 30 Favorite Beauty Products of All Time," 25 Feb. 2021 The range has a bit of everything, with a matte lip colour, lip liner, and high-shine lip gloss, plus three different highlighter formulas. — Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "Halsey Is Launching A Beauty Brand — & It’s Even Cooler Than You’d Expect," 5 Jan. 2021 Anodized aluminum alloy makes the ruler sturdy and lightweight and gives it an attractive matte finish. — Popular Science, "The best rulers for home, office, and school," 8 Jan. 2021 Aiding in the ability to manage the larger size is a smooth matte finish on rear and an overall thin build. — Michael Andronico, CNN Underscored, "These are the best smartphones of 2020," 31 Dec. 2020 The screen also has a nice matte finish that helps prevent glare. — Allen Foster, chicagotribune.com, "HP 23er review: Can this affordable monitor help with productivity?," 22 Dec. 2020 Most Timberland boots are made of 100% nubuck leather, a matte leather with a buttery-smooth finish. — Sian Babish, chicagotribune.com, "The best Timberland boot for women," 23 Dec. 2020 While Grande stuck with the classic light pink and white tones, some celebrities are taking the trend even further and incorporating unexpected colours, like teal, neon orange, or a matte sable brown on the tips. — Sarah Midkiff, refinery29.com, "Ariana Grande’s Engagement Manicure Is A Fresh Take On A Classic French Tip," 22 Dec. 2020 Unlike some matte lipstick formulas that dry out your lips, the Lip Souffle is hydrating (thanks to ingredients like vitamin E and a blend of botanical extracts) and emanates bold color with a feather-soft feel. — Gabrielle Pharms, USA TODAY, "10 amazing beauty gifts from BIPOC-owned brands," 19 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'matte.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.