matte

/mæt/

#14,047 of the most-used English words

noun

1. A decorative border around a picture used to inset and center the contents of a frame.
   "The image is a perfect square of 8 cm (with white matte border the total dimensions are 14 cm tall by 11 cm wide)."
2. A background, often painted or created with computers
   "Matte painting is a tool that filmmakers can use to create a scene that is impossible to achieve with conventional cinematographic means."
3. (pyrometallurgy) The molten metal sulfide phases typically formed during smelting of copper, nickel, and other base metals.

Similar: mat, matting, passe-partout

adjective

1. Dull; not reflective of light.
   "Flat or matte paint allows a deep color expression on the walls while also hiding flaws that may be inherent on the painted surface."

Similar: matt