# matte

> English word · Noun · IPA /mæt/ · frequency rank #14,585

## Definitions
1. A decorative border around a picture used to inset and center the contents of a frame.
2. A background, often painted or created with computers
3. The molten metal sulfide phases typically formed during smelting of copper, nickel, and other base metals.
4. An instrument for producing a dull, lustreless surface.

## Etymology
Borrowed from French mat.

## Easily confused with
- **mute** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mute)
- **maze** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-maze)
- **mitt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mitt)
- **mite** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mite)
- **mott** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mott)
- **mutt** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mutt)
- **mote** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mote)
- **maybe** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-maybe)
- **metre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-metre)
- **motto** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-motto)
- **monte** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-monte)
- **Matty** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-matty)
- **Maude** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-maude)
- **mayne** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mayne)
- **mauve** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mauve)
- **mitre** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mitre)
- **matter** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-matter)
- **mature** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mature)
- **Mattel** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mattel)
- **Mattie** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/matte-vs-mattie)

## Common misspellings (4)
`amtte`, `matet`, `mmatte`, `mtate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/matte