What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
muted
Example
The muted sound of the piano filled the room. [muted: adjective]
Example
She spoke in a muted tone to avoid waking up the baby. [muted: adjective]
muffled
Example
The sound of the fireworks was muffled by the thick walls. [muffled: verb]
Example
He wore a muffled scarf to protect his face from the cold wind. [muffled: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Muted is more commonly used than muffled in everyday language. Muted is versatile and can be used to describe colors, emotions, and sounds, while muffled is primarily used to describe sounds that are obstructed or dampened.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between muted and muffled?
Both muted and muffled are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in written or spoken communication. However, muted may be slightly more formal due to its broader range of applications.
