[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/mute/)

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# mute

adjective (mute); verb (mute, mutes, muted, muting); noun (a mute, mutes)

«mute» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. To mute a sound, phone, TV or video call is to turn its sound off so nothing can be heard; the mute button does this. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#m1)
2. Mute means silent, not speaking: she stayed mute. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#m2)
3. Muted colours or sounds are soft, quiet or not bright. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#m3)
4. A mute on a musical instrument, like a trumpet or violin, is something that makes its sound quieter or different. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#m4)
5. (old-fashioned, now offensive) Mute was once used for a person who cannot speak; today we say «non-speaking» or «a person who does not speak». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#m5)

### In the lessons

In everyday life and online classes «mute» is very common: «You're on mute!», «Please mute your microphone.» In stories a character may be «struck mute» with surprise. In music lessons a trumpet mute changes the sound. Phrases: on mute, mute button, mute yourself, mute the TV, muted colours, a mute swan.

### Examples

- Please mute your microphone when the teacher is talking. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x1)
- Dad, you're still on mute! [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x2)
- She muted the TV during the adverts. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x3)
- He stood mute with shock. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x4)
- The room was painted in muted greens and greys. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x5)
- The trumpet player put a mute in his trumpet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x6)
- A mute swan is a white swan with an orange beak. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x7)
- You can mute a group chat if it gets too noisy. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x8)
- But Night stood still and mute. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/#x9)

### Note

Verb forms: mute, mutes, muted, muting. «On mute» = sound off; «unmute» = turn sound back on. In spelling, a «silent letter» is sometimes called a mute letter (the k in «knee»). Be kind: calling a person «mute» can be hurtful; say they do not speak or use sign language. A mute swan is not silent; it can hiss and snort.

## In Jewish tradition

In Sefer Yetzirah the letter Mem is called mute, like water, in contrast to Shin which hisses like fire.

**Interpretation.** The book says Aleph, air, stands between mute water and hissing fire and makes peace between them.

### Examples

- The three fundamental letters א״מ״ש signify, as מ is mute like the water and ש hissing like the fire, there is א among them, a breath of air which reconciles them. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mute/#x1)
- The Three are Water, Air and Fire ; Fire above, Water below, and Air conciliating between them ; and the sign of these things is that the Fire sustains (volatilizes) the waters ; Mem is mute. (Sefer Yetzirah, Westcott 1893) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mute/#x2)

### Note

Verb forms: mute, mutes, muted, muting. «On mute» = sound off; «unmute» = turn sound back on. In spelling, a «silent letter» is sometimes called a mute letter (the k in «knee»). Be kind: calling a person «mute» can be hurtful; say they do not speak or use sign language. A mute swan is not silent; it can hiss and snort.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «mute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/M/mute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mute» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/mute.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «mute» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/M/mute/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«mute» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/mute.html) on Mova free.