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REFERENCE

mute

v. · adj. · n.
US //ˈmjut// UK //mjˈuːt// mute
  1. 1 to turn off sound (v.)
    B1 Intermediate Computing

    to turn off the sound on a device like a phone, TV, or computer.

    to temporarily suppress the audio output of an electronic device or application.

    Example

    I had to mute the television while I took the important phone call.

    Example

    Please mute your microphone during the presentation to prevent background noise from distracting the other participants.
    • unmute
  2. 2 to hide digital content (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Computing

    to stop seeing posts from a specific person on social media without unfriending them.

    to filter out or hide content from a specific user or containing specific keywords on a digital platform.

    Example

    She decided to mute her cousin's posts for a while because they were too political.

    Example

    The platform allows users to mute specific hashtags to avoid seeing spoilers for the new movie before they have a chance to watch it.
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  1. 3 to soften a sound or colour (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to make a sound quieter or a colour less bright.

    to deaden or muffle the sound of something; figuratively, to reduce the intensity of a colour or emotion.

    Example

    The thick curtains helped to mute the noise from the busy street outside.

    Example

    The designer chose to mute the vibrant wall colours with grey furniture to create a more professional atmosphere in the office.
  2. 4 silent or unable to speak (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    not speaking, or not able to speak.

    refraining from speech or lacking the physiological faculty of speech.

    Example

    The children sat in mute amazement as the magician performed his final trick.

    Example

    He stood in mute protest against the decision, refusing to utter a single word of compliance to the board.

    Usage

    When referring to people with disabilities, 'mute' is often considered dated or offensive; 'non-verbal' is usually preferred.

    Teacher's tip

    In modern contexts, using 'mute' to describe a person who cannot speak is often seen as insensitive. Advise students to use 'non-verbal' or 'speech-impaired' instead.
  3. 5 instrument dampener (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Music

    a small device put on a musical instrument to make it quieter or change its sound.

    a device fitted to a musical instrument to alter its timbre or reduce its volume.

    Example

    The trumpet player used a mute to create a soft, jazzy sound during the ballad.

    Example

    The score specifically required the brass section to apply mutes for the duration of the second movement to achieve a haunting, distant effect.
Etymology 1

From Middle English muet, from Anglo-Norman muet, moet, Middle French muet, from mu (“dumb, mute”) + -et, remodelled after Latin mūtus.

Etymology 2

From Middle French muetir, probably a shortened form of esmeutir, ultimately from Proto-Germanic.

Etymology 3

From Latin mutare (“to change”).

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