matte
mat
/mæt/
Dull and flat, without a shine or luster.
In crafting and photography, 'matte' refers to a surface finish that absorbs light rather than reflecting it, providing a soft, glare-free appearance.
The story behind the word. The word 'matte' comes from the French 'mat', which meant 'dull' or 'unpolished'. Interestingly, it shares a common ancestor with the chess term 'checkmate' (from Arabic 'shāh māt', meaning 'the king is dead/defeated'). The sense of being 'deadened' or 'subdued' eventually shifted to describe colors and finishes that lacked light and shine.
Word relationships
- flat: 'Flat' is a common term for non-shiny paint, while 'matte' is the preferred term in art, photography, and cosmetics to describe a velvety, non-reflective texture.
- dull: 'Dull' can imply a lack of interest or quality, whereas 'matte' is a deliberate, aesthetically pleasing choice of finish.
- glossy: Glossy surfaces are highly reflective, shiny, and smooth.
- lustrous: Lustrous implies a gentle, natural sheen or glow, unlike the flat absorption of matte.
Commonly confused with
- mat: A 'mat' (noun) is a protective piece of fabric or floor covering, or a cardboard border around a picture, while 'matte' (adjective) describes a non-shiny finish.
Word family
- matted (adjective): Tangled into a thick mass (e.g., matted fur), or framed with a cardboard border.
Collocations
- matte finish
- matte paint
- matte paper
- matte sealer
Example sentences
- "She preferred a matte finish for her prints to avoid any glare from the gallery lights." Choosing paper for photo printing.
- "After the paint dried, he applied a matte sealer to protect the surface without adding any unwanted shine." Applying a protective coat to a craft project.
Memory hook
Think of a door 'mat'. A door mat is flat, dull, and definitely does not shine. Matte is flat and has no shine.
When not to use
Do not use 'matte' to describe a dull personality or a boring event; use 'drab' or 'dull' instead.
Fun facts
- Matte paint on luxury cars has become highly popular, but it requires special hand-washing because standard car wax will ruin the finish by making it shiny.
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