Matte
/mæt/
Definitions
2 meaningsHaving a dull or non-glossy finish or surface.
/mæt/
Having a dull, non-glossy surface.
She preferred the matte lipstick to the glossy one.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a picture on a piece of paper. If the paper is matte, it's not shiny like a mirror – it's more like the surface of a chalkboard. This makes it easier to see the picture, because you don't get the glare from bright lights.
👶 For kids: Not shiny!
More Examples
The photographer used a matte screen protector to reduce reflections.
The paint on the wall was a beautiful matte gray.
How It's Used
"The painter chose a matte finish for the portrait to reduce glare."
"The matte paper produced a soft, diffused effect."
A dull or non-glossy finish or surface, or the material used to produce such a surface.
/mæt/
A dull, non-glossy finish, especially in art or photography.
The artist preferred the matte to the glossy paper.
💡 Simply: Sometimes when you frame a picture, you might put a border around the image. That border, especially if it isn't shiny, is called a 'matte'. It helps make the picture look better by not reflecting light in your eyes.
👶 For kids: The not-shiny part of a picture frame.
More Examples
The photo was framed with a simple black matte.
She selected a matte for her watercolor painting.
How It's Used
"The matte on the print enhanced its visual appeal."
"He chose a matte to frame his photograph."
From French 'mat' meaning 'dull, not shiny,' derived from the Old French 'mat' and likely from a Germanic source, related to words for 'matted' or 'dull'.
The term 'matte' has been used in art and photography for over a century, initially to describe a lack of shine in materials and eventually extended to framing techniques.
Memory tip
Think of 'matte' as the opposite of 'shiny'. If it's 'matte', it's not reflecting much light.
Word Origin
"dull, not shiny"