What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
muffled
Example
The sound of the fireworks was muffled by the thick fog. [muffled: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a muffled voice so as not to wake the baby. [muffled: adjective]
Example
He tried to muffle his anger and remain calm. [muffle: verb]
dull
Example
The knife was dull and couldn't cut through the tough meat. [dull: adjective]
Example
The sky was a dull gray on the rainy day. [dull: adjective]
Example
The lecture was so dull that I fell asleep. [dull: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Dull is more commonly used than muffled in everyday language. Dull is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while muffled is less common and is more specific to describing sounds or voices that are being obstructed or covered.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between muffled and dull?
Both muffled and dull can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but muffled may be more commonly used in technical or specialized fields, such as audio engineering or acoustics.
