matte
1 of 3 variants or matt
variant spellings of mat entry 3 sense 1
matte
2 of 3adjective
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 3noun
ˈmat
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
Adjective
- dim
- dull
- dulled
- flat
- lusterless
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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
Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2022 The application is buttery, and the finish is a moisturizing semi-matte. Jihan Forbes, Allure, 28 July 2022 Some are matte, some have a sheen, and some are even duo-chrome. Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 27 July 2022 Another richly pigmented and luscious formulation for deep skin tones, this semi-matte lippie is hydrating and comfortable. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 23 Aug. 2022 Saturated in Valentino red, the double-sided eyeliner features a semi-matte, ultra-black liquid on one end, while the other is a gel in one of four colors—classic black, deep red, navy blue, or mocha brown. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2022 Chanel's take on loose powder sets and perfects your makeup, then blends effortlessly into a natural-looking, semi-matte finish. Theresa Holland, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022 Eventually, the recent Billboard cover star escapes the confines of the glass box, picking up his matte black electric guitar to finish out the closer to his latest No. 1 album Mainstream Sellout while bathed in flashing teal and pink light. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 27 July 2022 The surface can be left polished—which is the typical factory standard—or be honed or leathered to acquire a more matte, natural look. Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 27 June 2022 Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 16 Sep. 2022 It’s the perfect red, and the perfect matte texture. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 July 2022 The large bouquet was placed in a massive matte-black vase and had a small black box with a bow tied around it placed on the roses. Giovana Gelhoren, PEOPLE.com, 14 July 2022 The vintage furniture and decor purveyor teamed up with Mejuri to create three limited-edition matte-finished modular art pieces, which also just happen to serve as both the perfect decor and display for your favorite jewelry. Concetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 May 2022 Deputy Editor Jessica Teich says it's highly pigmented with a stunning matte finish, plus the longwear formula truly lasts all day. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 17 Aug. 2022 There's also a 6.7-inch OLED display with a matte finish that looks attractive. Dave Leclair, PCMAG, 11 Aug. 2022 With a natural mint and shea butter scent and a matte finish (a.k.a. no shine), this lip balm is ideal for men. Jamie Kravitz, Woman's Day, 10 Aug. 2022 While rocking a relaxed flannel and choppy black bangs, Eilish showed off a subtle glam look, which included a rosy matte lip, spotty freckles, and flushed cheeks. Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2022 See More
Adjective
In this bathroom, the floating vanity, geometric floor tiles, and subway tile backsplash are hallmarks of midcentury modern design, while matte black accents keep it looking contemporary. Sophie Flaxman, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Sep. 2022 The application is buttery, and the finish is a moisturizing semi-matte. Jihan Forbes, Allure, 28 July 2022 Some are matte, some have a sheen, and some are even duo-chrome. Nerisha Penrose, ELLE, 27 July 2022 Another richly pigmented and luscious formulation for deep skin tones, this semi-matte lippie is hydrating and comfortable. Roxanne Adamiyatt, Town & Country, 23 Aug. 2022 Saturated in Valentino red, the double-sided eyeliner features a semi-matte, ultra-black liquid on one end, while the other is a gel in one of four colors—classic black, deep red, navy blue, or mocha brown. Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 10 Aug. 2022 Chanel's take on loose powder sets and perfects your makeup, then blends effortlessly into a natural-looking, semi-matte finish. Theresa Holland, PEOPLE.com, 22 July 2022 Eventually, the recent Billboard cover star escapes the confines of the glass box, picking up his matte black electric guitar to finish out the closer to his latest No. 1 album Mainstream Sellout while bathed in flashing teal and pink light. Glenn Rowley, Billboard, 27 July 2022 The surface can be left polished—which is the typical factory standard—or be honed or leathered to acquire a more matte, natural look. Alyssa Longobucco, House Beautiful, 27 June 2022 Noun
The rack has a black matte finish and can hold up to 55 pounds of cookware, plus all mounting hardware is included. Kathleen Willcox, Popular Mechanics, 16 Sep. 2022 It’s the perfect red, and the perfect matte texture. Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 29 July 2022 The large bouquet was placed in a massive matte-black vase and had a small black box with a bow tied around it placed on the roses. Giovana Gelhoren, PEOPLE.com, 14 July 2022 The vintage furniture and decor purveyor teamed up with Mejuri to create three limited-edition matte-finished modular art pieces, which also just happen to serve as both the perfect decor and display for your favorite jewelry. Concetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 18 May 2022 Deputy Editor Jessica Teich says it's highly pigmented with a stunning matte finish, plus the longwear formula truly lasts all day. Jacqueline Saguin, Good Housekeeping, 17 Aug. 2022 There's also a 6.7-inch OLED display with a matte finish that looks attractive. Dave Leclair, PCMAG, 11 Aug. 2022 With a natural mint and shea butter scent and a matte finish (a.k.a. no shine), this lip balm is ideal for men. Jamie Kravitz, Woman's Day, 10 Aug. 2022 While rocking a relaxed flannel and choppy black bangs, Eilish showed off a subtle glam look, which included a rosy matte lip, spotty freckles, and flushed cheeks. Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 2 Aug. 2022 See More 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
matte
adjective
variants also mat or matt
as in flat
lacking a surface luster or gloss I chose a paint with a matte finish so the walls wouldn't be too shiny Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- flat
- lusterless
- dull
- dulled
- dark
- gray
- grey
- dim
- black
- unpolished
- pale
- drab
- tarnished
- dingy
- muddy
- darkened
- dusky
- lackluster
- palish
- mousy
- leaden
- darkish
- cloudy
- mousey
- stygian
- somber
- gloomy
- dirty
- dimmed
- murky
- obscure
- obscured
- tenebrous
- sombre
- tenebrific
- pitch-black
- pitch-dark
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- glossy
- shiny
- lustrous
- sleek
- polished
- satin
- lacquered
- rubbed
- varnished
- burnished
- glazed
- satiny
- silky
- slick
- silken
- slippery
- buffed
- shining
- gleaming
- shellacked
- shimmering
- glistening
- luminous
- sparkling
- bright
- shining
- brilliant
- radiant
- dazzling
- incandescent
- glowing
- twinkling
- lucid
- lucent
- resplendent
- effulgent
- lambent
- glittering
- glimmering
- gemmy
- glinting
- refulgent
- scintillating
- fulgent
- bedazzling
- candescent
- brightened
- beaming