🧘 A flat pad 🧶 A tangled mass 🧶 To tangle 🖼️ A picture border 🏗️ A thick base 🌫️ No shine 💄 Not shiny

mat

4.1

Not shiny and having a dull surface

adjective
/mæt/

: mate

I like the matte silver on one side and the matte white on the other.

I need a like a matte black, matte black helmet.

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Examples

OK, so Patrick's powder is colorless, ultra fine with a matte finish.
So this is a light matte brown color.
OK Looks a little more matte than I normally like, but it looks OK.
I do agree with the natural matte finish claim.
This is so black, so matte, it stays on like a champ.
It looks so matte and so gorgeous.
The artist chose a mat paint for the walls to create a calming atmosphere.
This car has a sleek design with a mat finish that reduces glare.
She preferred the mat black color for her new phone case instead of gloss.

Synonyms

dull

vsmat

31 1.0

Not bright or shiny with weak colour

is the more specific surface term referring only to a non reflective finish

matte

vsmat

2 3.5

Not shiny and showing little reflection

is a general label for a surface with a non reflective finish

unglazed

vsmat

1 6.2

A surface such as pottery or tiles that has no shiny coating

is a general name for a non reflective finish without specifying coating

lusterless

vsmat

1 7.2

Not shiny and showing little energy or life

is the neutral visual description without implying lack of energy

matted

vsmat

4.2

A surface that is not shiny and does not reflect light

is the general term for a surface showing a non reflective finish

matty

vsmat

7.4

Having a flat, not shiny surface, like some paints or phone cases

is the ordinary description for a surface with a non reflective finish

unshiny

vsmat

5.3

Having a dull surface that does not reflect light

is a broader label for non reflective surfaces used in many contexts

unburnished

vsmat

9.1

Not made shiny by rubbing or polishing

is the broader term for non reflective surfaces regardless of polishing status

Antonyms

shiny

302 1.0

Bright and smooth because it reflects light

glossy

34 2.6

Having a smooth shiny surface that reflects light like paper or hair

Idioms

to go to the mat

Informal

5 7.6

Argue strongly to protect an idea or position

to roll out the welcome mat

Informal

1 4.8

Make someone feel very welcome by giving special care

to called on the mat

Archaic

8.9

To have a boss or leader tell you off for doing something wrong

Compounds

welcome mat

10 1.7

A small mat outside a door for wiping shoes and greeting visitors

bath mat

4 1.0

A small rug on the bathroom floor that soaks up water and keeps you from slipping

prayer mat

2 2.5

A small rug Muslims kneel on when they pray

gym mat

1 1.6

A thick pad on the floor that makes landings softer and safer

wrestling mat

1 2.8

A thick padded surface that wrestlers use to avoid injury when they fall

beer mat

1 1.8

A small mat that you put under a glass of beer to stop drips

mat board

1 3.9

A stiff flat board you put around a picture inside a frame to protect and show it

place mat

1 1.2

A small mat under a person's plate that protects the table and decorates it

drip mat

3.7

A small mat placed under a glass to protect a table or counter from water

mat rep

Jargon

8.2

One time you do an exercise on a mat

mouse mat

2.5

A small pad under a computer mouse that helps it move smoothly

sea mat

9.9

A group of small animals that grow like underwater moss on rocks or seaweed

table mat

1.1

A small flat pad that goes under plates to protect the table from heat and scratches

water mat

9.9

A water plant with yellow flowers that grows at pond edges in western and central United States

water mat

3.1

A flat mat that floats on water for sitting, lying, or playing

How Shiny

glossy

34 2.6

satin

3 2.7

mat

4.1

Surface Forms

mat positive

Etymology

Mat as an adjective also comes from French matte meaning 'dull', which is why a mat surface looks flat and has no shine.