mute
/mjuːt/ (bre, ipa) · /mjuːt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmyüt/ (ame, mw)
mute — adjective
- mutepositive
- mutercomparative
- mutestsuperlative
1. not speaking, or showing meaning through looks or actions instead of words
not speaking, or showing meaning through looks or actions instead of words
Hamza stood mute while the judge read the final decision.
mute + while-clause after shock
Sayaka gave a mute nod from the back of the crowded bus.
a mute nod
For a moment, the whole room was mute after the glass shattered.
Élise offered a mute apology with lowered eyes and shaking hands.
- silent
the broader everyday word for not making a sound or not speaking
- wordless
focuses on the absence of spoken words, especially in expression
- speechless
usually suggests a reason such as shock or strong emotion
文法句型
go mute
fall mute
a mute nod
用法筆記
Often used for a person or group that stays silent in a striking moment. It can also describe a gesture or expression that communicates without spoken words.
2. used in the past as an offensive label for a person who cannot speak
used in the past as an offensive label for a person who cannot speak
Christopher's old case notes called the child mute.
outdated label in records
An outdated report described Emma as mute instead of naming her condition.
The museum kept the word mute in a caption until 2010.
Parents complained when the school form labelled Hiro mute.
文法句型
call someone mute
label someone mute
用法筆記
Now offensive and mainly encountered when quoting old medical, legal, or school records. Use a respectful descriptive phrase instead of this label.
mute — noun
- mutesingular
- mutesplural
1. a button or screen control on a device that turns the sound off
a button or screen control on a device that turns the sound off
Press mute before the lecture starts if your phone is nearby.
press mute on a device
Gabriel tapped mute when the baby began crying beside him.
The TV remote has mute next to the volume buttons.
During the train ride, Marta hit mute and answered the call.
- mute button
a fuller and more explicit way to name the same control
- sound-off control
a descriptive phrase rather than the usual label on devices
文法句型
press mute
tap mute
hit mute
用法筆記
Usually appears in device instructions and quick actions such as press mute or tap mute. Distinguish from sense 2, which names the no-sound state rather than the control.
常見錯誤
2. the no-sound state of a phone, computer, or similar device
the no-sound state of a phone, computer, or similar device
My laptop stayed on mute during the whole staff meeting.
fixed phrase: on mute
Please keep the class tablet on mute during the film.
After the ad ended, Ingrid took the TV off mute.
The stream was on mute, so nobody heard the opening song.
文法句型
on mute
off mute
用法筆記
Common in the fixed phrase on mute, especially for phones, laptops, and streams. Distinguish from sense 1, which is the button or control that creates this state.
常見錯誤
3. a small piece put on an instrument to change its tone, usually making it softer
a small piece put on an instrument to change its tone, usually making it softer
The trumpeter slid a mute into the bell before rehearsal.
insert a mute into a brass instrument
Erik borrowed a mute when his teacher wanted a darker tone.
The violinist reached for a practice mute before midnight.
A rubber mute made the horn sound softer in the hall.
文法句型
insert a mute into a trumpet
use a practice mute
用法筆記
Used mainly in music contexts with brass or string instruments. Distinguish from sense 1, which is an electronic control rather than a physical attachment.
4. an extremely offensive old word for a person who cannot speak
an extremely offensive old word for a person who cannot speak
The newspaper called the witness a mute, and readers complained.
reported as offensive wording
An old court record listed him as a mute.
Calling someone a mute sounds insulting in modern English today.
Paloma crossed out the word mute on the intake form.
文法句型
call someone a mute
用法筆記
Now extremely offensive and mostly seen when quoting old records or correcting harmful wording. Use a respectful descriptive phrase instead of this noun.
mute — verb
- mutepresent simple I / you / we / they
- mutes3rd person singular
- muting-ing form
- mutedpast simple
1. to turn down or cut off the sound from a device, app, or other noise source
to turn down or cut off the sound from a device, app, or other noise source
Amani muted the TV before taking the late-night call.
mute + TV/device
The nurse muted the alarm while she checked the machine.
A teacher muted the video ad so the baby could sleep.
Please mute your speaker before the train leaves the station.
- unmute
to restore the sound
文法句型
mute + device/noise
用法筆記
Object is usually a device, app, alert, or another sound source. Distinguish from sense 2, where the object is the person whose microphone is turned off.
常見錯誤
2. to stop another person from being heard by turning off their microphone
to stop another person from being heard by turning off their microphone
The host muted Vikram after loud traffic filled his room.
mute + participant on a call
A teacher can mute students during the online quiz.
The producer muted the caller until the interview began.
Niran accidentally muted Ingrid instead of lowering the music.
- unmute
to let the person be heard again
文法句型
mute + person/participant
用法筆記
Common in online meetings, classes, and live streams, usually by turning off the person's microphone. Distinguish from sense 1, which targets the sound source or device itself.
常見錯誤
3. to hide someone's posts or messages from your feed without unfriending or blocki
to hide someone's posts or messages from your feed without unfriending or blocking them
I muted that account after three days of spoiler posts.
mute an account without blocking
Beatrix muted her cousin during the election and stayed friends.
Many users mute group chats when exams are near.
After midnight, Christopher muted the gaming channel on the app.
- unmute
to let posts or messages appear again
文法句型
mute + account/chat
用法筆記
Common on social media and messaging platforms. You still keep the connection or membership; the posts or messages just stop appearing for you.
常見錯誤
4. to attach a sound-changing piece to an instrument so it plays more softly or wit
to attach a sound-changing piece to an instrument so it plays more softly or with a different tone
The conductor asked the brass section to mute their horns.
mute + instrument section
Hiro muted the trumpet before the quiet jazz solo.
mute + trumpet
For the next passage, the players muted their violins with clips.
The score says to mute the strings for eight bars.
文法句型
mute + instrument
用法筆記
Used in music contexts with instruments such as trumpets, horns, and violins. Distinguish from sense 1, where you reduce sound electronically or from a general noise source.