# matte

/ˈmæt/ (US) · /mˈæt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/matte
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. dull or non-shiny

adjective · CEFR B2

having a dull surface that does not reflect light.

For teachers: having a dull or lustreless surface finish that lacks a glossy or reflective quality.

- She chose a matte paint for the bedroom walls to avoid any glare from the sun.
- The photographer preferred a matte finish for the portraits, as it provided a sophisticated texture without the distracting reflections of a glossy coating.

### 2. picture border

noun · CEFR C1 · American English

a decorative border, usually made of cardboard, placed around a picture inside a frame.

For teachers: a decorative border or mount, typically of card or paper, used to inset and centre a photograph or artwork within a frame.

- The white matte around the photo makes the colours look much brighter.
- The gallery used acid-free mattes to ensure that the historical documents remained preserved while being displayed in heavy oak frames.

Usage: Often spelled 'mat' or 'matted' in this context.

### 3. film background

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a painted or digital background used in films to make it look like the actors are in a different place.

For teachers: a background, traditionally painted on glass or now created digitally, used in filmmaking to represent a location not present during filming.

- The old sci-fi movie used a matte painting to show the alien city in the distance.
- Modern visual effects have largely replaced traditional matte paintings with complex digital environments that allow for dynamic camera movement.

### 4. molten metal

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a mixture of metals created during the process of melting ore.

For teachers: the impure product of the first smelting of certain ores, such as copper or nickel, consisting of a mixture of metal sulphides.

- The workers carefully moved the copper matte to the next stage of the refining process.
- The chemical composition of the matte must be precisely monitored to ensure the efficiency of the subsequent conversion into pure metal.

### 5. to make dull

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to make a surface look dull or non-shiny.

For teachers: to produce a dull, lustreless surface on a material, particularly metal or glass.

- The craftsman used a special tool to matte the silver surface of the bowl.
- The glass was matted using a sandblasting technique to provide privacy while still allowing light to pass through the office partitions.

## Examples

- I prefer a matte finish for my wedding photos.
- The designer chose a matte black paint for the car to give it a modern, understated look.
- While glossy screens offer more vibrant colors, many professionals prefer a matte display because it significantly reduces glare from overhead lighting in the office.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.