Mute

/mjuːt/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A device used to deaden or silence sound.

The musician used a mute on his trumpet to create a softer sound.

A person who is unable to speak.

In stories, a mute often communicates through gestures or writing.

verb

To silence or make incapable of producing sound.

She decided to mute the TV during the commercial.

To render speechless or incapable of expressing oneself.

The shocking news seemed to mute everyone in the room.

adjective

Silent; unable to speak; not producing sound.

The audience was mute during the performance, captivated by the beauty of the music.

Having a color that is not bright or intense; subdued.

He wore a mute palette of colors for the formal event.

Middle English, from Old French 'muet', from Latin 'mutus' meaning 'silent, unable to speak'.

mute button

A control on a device that silences the sound.

mute point

A topic that is no longer relevant or important.

mute mode

Device setting to silence notifications or alerts.

dumb

Unable to speak; sometimes used to mean lacking intelligence.

silence

The absence of sound.

speechless

Unable to speak, especially as a result of shock or strong emotion.

To shut someone up, particularly in conversation.

I just muted him during the debate.

To turn off sound on a video or call.

I'll mute the video while I take this call.