muffle

verb

muf·​fle ˈmə-fəl How to pronounce muffle (audio)
muffled; muffling ˈmə-f(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce muffle (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to wrap up so as to conceal or protect : envelop
2
obsolete : blindfold
3
a
: to wrap or pad with something to dull the sound
muffle the oarlocks
b
: to deaden the sound of
4
: keep down, suppress
muffled her anger

Examples of muffle in a Sentence

They tried to muffle the noise. I could hear their muffled voices from the next room.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
His low desk was shoved into the corner furthest from the windows, as if Gussow had wanted to muffle the city’s distractions. Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 27 Dec. 2024 Get your pet soundproof earmuffs or play soothing sounds on a sound machine to muffle noise. Natalie Davies, Detroit Free Press, 25 Dec. 2024 Unlike typical earplugs, these filter out damaging frequencies without muffling the sound. Louryn Strampe, WIRED, 30 Nov. 2024 Owners can do a number of things to relieve this type of anxiety in dogs, such as leaving a long-lasting chew toy with them when leaving and keeping the radio on to muffle outside noises. Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for muffle 

Word History

Etymology

Middle English muflen

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of muffle was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near muffle

Cite this Entry

“Muffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/muffle. Accessed 4 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

muffle

verb
muf·​fle ˈməf-əl How to pronounce muffle (audio)
muffled; muffling ˈməf-(ə-)liŋ How to pronounce muffle (audio)
1
: to wrap up so as to conceal or protect
2
: to deaden the sound of
muffle a cry

More from Merriam-Webster on muffle

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!