unmute
un-MYOOT
/ʌnˈmjuːt/
To turn back on the audio input or microphone after it has been silenced.
Refers explicitly to restoring microphone audio during an ongoing call or stream.
The story behind the word. The prefix 'un-' was combined with the modern technological sense of 'mute' during the early digital audio software era. It became a ubiquitous verb with the explosive rise of internet telephony and video conferencing applications.
Word relationships
- activate audio: 'Activate audio' is a broader technical phrase, whereas 'unmute' is the standard direct verb for toggling sound back on.
- mute: Mute disables sound or microphone input, while unmute restores it.
Commonly confused with
- amplify: Amplify means making sound louder, while unmute simply enables sound that was previously silenced.
Word family
- unmuted (adjective): Having the microphone or sound output toggled active.
Collocations
- remember to unmute
- unmute yourself
- prompt to unmute
- unmute the audio
Example sentences
- "When called upon by the moderator, she unmuted herself and answered the attendee's question." Online presentation discussion
Memory hook
UN + MUTE: UN-doing the silent state. Bring back your voice.
When not to use
Do not use 'unmute' to mean turning up speaker volume; it specifically reverses a silenced mic or audio mute state.
Fun facts
- The phrase 'forgetting to unmute' became a standard humorous workplace excuse in modern corporate culture.
Explore more words
speakerphone, hold, Playback, autoplay, amplification, freeze
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