mat
mat Lexical Profile
mat Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A piece of thick material placed on a floor or other surface for people to wipe their shoes on, to provide a clean area, or to protect the surface below.
"Please wipe your muddy boots on the welcome mat before entering the house."
A padded floor covering used in sports such as gymnastics, wrestling, or martial arts to cushion falls and provide a safe training area.
"The gymnast executed a flawless dismount and landed securely on the padded mat."
A thickly tangled mass of hair, vegetation, or similar fibrous material.
"The neglected dog's fur had formed a thick mat that had to be carefully shaved off by the groomer."
• verb
To tangle or become twisted into a thick, dense mass (often referring to hair or fibers).
"The heavy rain and strong winds caused the sheep's wool to mat tightly against its skin."
To cover, protect, or furnish a floor or surface with a woven pad or mat.
"They decided to mat the entire playroom floor to ensure a safe, soft environment for the toddlers."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as an adjective to describe a dull or lusterless finish, the word is frequently spelled 'matte' (especially in North American English) to distinguish it from the noun.
• Rhymes for mat
Word Origin & Etymology
From Late Old English 'meatte', derived from Late Latin 'matta', which likely originated from the Punic/Phoenician word 'mittā', meaning 'bed' or 'couch'. The adjective meaning 'dull' comes from French 'mat'.