muted

/ˈmjuːtɪd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmjuːtɪd/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmyü-təd/ (ame, mw)

muted — 形容詞

  • mutedpositive
  • more mutedcomparative
  • most mutedsuperlative

1. used to describe sounds that are softer and less loud than usual — reduced in vo

1.形容詞B2
釋義

低聲

比平常更安靜的聲音

used to describe sounds that are softer and less loud than usual — reduced in volume rather than physically blocked.

例句

From behind the closed door, Yuna could hear the muted voices of her parents talking.

Yuna 隔著關上的門，可以聽見父母低聲的談話。

The muted hum of the refrigerator was the only sound in the kitchen at midnight.

午夜廚房裡唯一聽得見的聲音，是那台冰箱低聲運轉的嗡鳴。

collocation: muted hum / muted voices

同義詞
  • soft

    more general term for low volume; 'soft' can describe any quiet sound

  • hushed

    suggests deliberate quietness, often with a sense of reverence or secrecy

  • subdued

    shares the idea of reduced intensity, but also applies to mood and colour

反義詞
  • loud

    direct opposite

  • clear

    muted sounds are less distinct as well as quieter

常見錯誤

❌His voice was muted by the pillow.
✅His voice was muffled by the pillow.
💡Muffled implies something physically blocks the sound; muted means reduced in volume, not necessarily blocked.

2. used to describe a reaction, feeling, or expression that is not strong, enthusia

2.形容詞B2
釋義

冷淡

反應或情感不如預期熱烈

used to describe a reaction, feeling, or expression that is not strong, enthusiastic, or openly expressed — for example, a muted response to a proposal or muted enthusiasm for a plan.

例句

The audience's muted applause showed they were not impressed by the performance.

觀眾冷淡的掌聲顯示他們對這場表演並不滿意。

collocation: muted applause

There was only muted interest in the company's new product launch.

人們對那家公司的新產品發表反應相當冷淡。

collocation: muted interest

同義詞
  • subdued

    very close in meaning; 'subdued' slightly emphasises a forced or restrained quality

  • restrained

    suggests someone is deliberately holding back a stronger reaction

  • half-hearted

    implies a lack of effort or conviction, often more negative than 'muted'

反義詞
  • enthusiastic

    direct opposite in terms of energy and warmth

  • passionate

    suggests strong emotion, the opposite of muted

用法筆記

This sense often describes collective reactions (applause, enthusiasm, response) rather than a single person's inner feeling. It suggests that people are holding back or that the reaction is weaker than expected.

常見錯誤

❌I felt very muted about the movie.
✅My reaction to the movie was muted.
💡Muted describes the reaction itself, not a person's internal emotional state.

3. used to describe a colour that is not bright, vivid, or shiny — a soft, toned-do

3.形容詞B2
釋義

柔和

不鮮豔、不刺眼的顏色

used to describe a colour that is not bright, vivid, or shiny — a soft, toned-down shade that looks calm rather than striking.

例句

Wei painted the living-room walls in a muted shade of sage green.

Wei 把客廳牆壁漆成了一種柔和的鼠尾草綠色。

collocation: muted shade of [colour]

The artist prefers muted earth tones over bright, flashy colours.

這位藝術家偏愛柔和的大地色系，而非鮮豔搶眼的色彩。

同義詞
  • subdued

    interchangeable for colours; both mean 'not bright'

  • matt

    specifically describes a non-shiny surface rather than tone

  • soft

    more general; 'soft colours' suggests pleasant, gentle shades

  • dull

    similar but often negative, implying boring or lifeless

反義詞
  • bright

    direct opposite in intensity

  • vivid

    strongly coloured and striking

  • garish

    too bright and showy

用法筆記

Muted in this sense is neutral or positive when describing interior design, fashion, or art. It is the opposite of 'bright', 'vivid', or 'garish', and overlaps with 'subdued' and 'matt'.

常見錯誤

❌Her face went muted when she saw the spider.
✅Her face went pale when she saw the spider.
💡Muted describes colours of objects, not skin colour caused by shock or fear.

4. used to describe a musical instrument, especially a brass or string instrument,

4.形容詞C1
釋義

弱音

裝上弱音器的樂器聲響

used to describe a musical instrument, especially a brass or string instrument, that is played with a mute fitted to make its sound softer, warmer, and less sharp.

例句

The trumpeter played a beautiful muted passage during the jazz solo.

那位小號手在爵士獨奏中吹奏了一段優美的弱音樂句。

collocation: muted trumpet / muted passage

Diego's muted trombone produced a warm, velvety tone that filled the concert hall.

Diego 用弱音器演奏的長號發出溫暖柔和的音色，響徹音樂廳。

同義詞
  • muffled

    closest general word; 'muffled' describes the resulting sound but not the technique

  • softened

    describes the effect without the instrumental connotation

反義詞
  • open

    musicians describe instruments played without a mute as 'open'

  • bright

    a bright brass sound is the opposite of a muted one

用法筆記

This is the most specific and technical sense of muted. It refers to a physical mute device (for brass, string, or occasionally woodwind instruments) and is used by musicians and music critics. The colour and sound senses above describe natural qualities, whereas this sense describes a deliberate technique.

常見錯誤

❌The singer's voice sounded muted because she had a cold.
✅The singer's voice sounded husky because she had a cold.
💡Muted for instruments refers to a mechanical mute, not a hoarse or weak voice.