matte

1 of 3

variants or matt

variant spellings of mat entry 3 sense 1

matte

2 of 3

adjective

ˈmat 

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

ˈmat 

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)

Synonyms of matte

Adjective

• flat
• gray
• dulled
• dull
• lusterless
• black
• dim
• pale
• dark

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

The long-wearing formula sets to a semi-matte finish that resists oil and humidity, too. —Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 26 Nov. 2025

The 42 mm case wears well thanks to ergonomically short lugs and restrained proportions, on a semi-matte alligator strap with a flamboyant yellow lining. —Thor Svaboe, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2025

Noun

With a blend of matte and shimmery finishes, there’s a shade for every occasion. —Melanie Fincher, Southern Living, 27 Nov. 2025

More Is More For a leather-on-leather look, streamlined shapes and matte textures keep the look from feeling too punk rock. —Christina Holevas, Vogue, 26 Nov. 2025

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

Rhymes for matte

• at
• bat
• batt
• brat
• cat
• chat
• fat
• flat
• gat
• gnat
• hat
• kat

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