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Synonyms

matted

1 American  
[mat-id] / ˈmæt ɪd /

adjective

  1. covered with a dense growth or a tangled mass.

    a garden matted with weeds.

  2. formed into a mat; entangled in a thick mass.

    matted hair.

  3. formed of mats, or of plaited or woven material.

  4. covered with mats or matting.

matted 2 American  
[mat-id] / ˈmæt ɪd /

adjective

  1. having a dull finish; matte.

matted British  
/ ˈmætɪd /

adjective

  1. tangled into a thick mass

    matted hair

  2. covered with or formed of matting

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • mattedly adverb
  • mattedness noun

Etymology

Origin of matted1

First recorded in 1600–10; mat 1 + -ed 2

Origin of matted2

First recorded in 1815–25; matte 1 + -ed 2

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A jillion little game trails twisted their way through jungles of wild cane and matted masses of elder.

From Literature

He twisted; it was above him, diving low, wings outstretched, clawed feet extended, lion’s mane matted with sea salt and blood.

From Literature

The face staring back at her had hair wild and matted hanging to her waist, her eyes bright white and blank, her teeth razor sharp.

From Literature

The schoolhouse is a dull, matted red, as are other architectural elements.

From The Wall Street Journal

She travelled to the animal charity's Glasgow base to collect him and found George "more or less fine, save for some matted fur and bad teeth".

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.