# mute

/ˈmjut/ (US) · /mjˈuːt/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to turn off sound

verb · CEFR B1

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

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

- I had to mute the television while I took the important phone call.
- Please mute your microphone during the presentation to prevent background noise from distracting the other participants.

### 2. to hide digital content

verb · CEFR B2

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

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

- She decided to mute her cousin's posts for a while because they were too political.
- The platform allows users to mute specific hashtags to avoid seeing spoilers for the new movie before they have a chance to watch it.

### 3. to soften a sound or colour

verb · CEFR B2

to make a sound quieter or a colour less bright.

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

- The thick curtains helped to mute the noise from the busy street outside.
- The designer chose to mute the vibrant wall colours with grey furniture to create a more professional atmosphere in the office.

### 4. silent or unable to speak

adjective · CEFR B2

not speaking, or not able to speak.

For teachers: refraining from speech or lacking the physiological faculty of speech.

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

Teaching 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.

### 5. instrument dampener

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

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

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

- The trumpet player used a mute to create a soft, jazzy sound during the ballad.
- The score specifically required the brass section to apply mutes for the duration of the second movement to achieve a haunting, distant effect.

## Examples

- I always mute the commercials while watching TV.
- If you find a group chat too distracting during work hours, you can mute the notifications until the evening.
- The moderator had to mute several participants who were speaking over each other, ensuring the digital town hall remained productive and respectful for all attendees.

---

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.