Muffle: meaning, definitions and examples

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muffle

[ ˈmʌfəl ]

Verb / Noun

^{Context #1 | Verb}

sound

To make a sound quieter, usually by covering or wrapping something around it.

Synonyms

dampen, dull, hush, mute.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
muffle	When you need to reduce the volume of sound, typically by covering the source of the noise. She used a blanket to muffle the baby's cries The thick walls muffle the nearby traffic noise
dampen	When you want to reduce the intensity of sound or enthusiasm. It can also mean to make something slightly wet. The rain began to dampen their spirits Placing a towel underneath the door helps to dampen the sound
mute	When you completely silence something or someone, or reduce the sound to zero. He used the remote control to mute the TV during the commercial Please mute your microphone during the conference call
dull	When you want to describe something that is less sharp, vivid, or intense, often applies to senses like hearing or sight. The medication can dull your sense of pain The sound of the machinery dulls your ability to hear conversations
hush	When you need to tell someone to be quiet or reduce noise quickly, often used in more urgent or intimate situations. She asked the children to hush as the movie began There was a hush in the room when the teacher entered

Examples of usage

He muffled the sound of his phone by putting it under a pillow.
The thick curtains muffled the noise from the street outside.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

clothing

A piece of cloth used to wrap around something to deaden sound or to protect from cold.

Synonyms

cover, shield, wrap.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
muffle	Used when trying to reduce sound or make it quieter. It can also refer to covering something to keep it warm or to conceal it. He used a pillow to muffle his voice so he wouldn't wake anyone. The scarf helped muffle the cold wind.
wrap	Used when enveloping something with an object, usually in a protective or decorative manner. It can also refer to enclosing something completely. She decided to wrap the gift in colorful paper. The chef used foil to wrap the leftovers.
cover	Used when placing something over another thing to protect or hide it. It is generally a neutral term suitable in many situations. She used a blanket to cover the sleeping child. He held an umbrella to cover himself from the rain.
shield	Used in situations where protection from danger, harm, or unwanted elements is needed. It often implies a defensive action. The soldiers used their shields to protect themselves from arrows. She raised her hand to shield her eyes from the bright light.

Examples of usage

She put on a muffle to keep her ears warm in the winter.
The muffle around the microphone reduced the background noise.

Translations

Translations of the word "muffle" in other languages:

🇵🇹 abafar

🇮🇳 मंद करना

🇩🇪 dämpfen

🇮🇩 meredam

🇺🇦 глушити

🇵🇱 tłumić

🇯🇵 消す (けす)

🇫🇷 étouffer

🇪🇸 amortiguar

🇹🇷 boğmak

🇰🇷 완화하다

🇸🇦 يخمد

🇨🇿 tlumit

🇸🇰 tlmiť

🇨🇳 消音 (xiāoyīn)

🇸🇮 dušiti

🇮🇸 deyfa

🇰🇿 бәсеңдету

🇬🇪 ჩახშობა

🇦🇿 boğmaq

🇲🇽 amortiguar

Etymology

The word 'muffle' originated from Middle English 'moufle', which meant a thick glove or a muff. Over time, it evolved to mean to wrap or cover something for the purpose of deadening sound or protecting from cold. The verb form of 'muffle' has been in use since the 16th century, while the noun form has a more recent history. Today, 'muffle' is commonly used in contexts related to soundproofing, insulation, and protection from noise.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #24,643, this word is part of extensive vocabulary. It's relatively rare in general usage but may be important in specific fields or formal writing.

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24640 unicellular
24641 hotline
24642 calibrations
24643 muffle
24644 rapacity
24645 disenchantment
24646 drape
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