How Do You Spell MUTE?

Pronunciation: [mjˈuːt] (IPA)

The word "mute" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation is more complex than it seems. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /mjut/. The first sound is "m", followed by a "y" sound that is formed when the lips start rounded and then move back. The "u" sound is pronounced as [u], which is a high back rounded vowel, and the final sound is a voiceless "t". This simple spelling belies the phonetic intricacies of the word "mute".

MUTE Meaning and Definition

  1. Mute is both an adjective and a verb that refers to the state or action of being silent or muted. As an adjective, it describes a person or thing that is unable or unwilling to speak, or a sound that is intentionally softened or eliminated. In this sense, the term is often used to describe someone who is unable to speak due to a physical or developmental condition, or someone who has taken a voluntary vow of silence.

    When used as a verb, mute signifies the act of making something silent or reducing its volume. It can refer to either reducing the sound produced by a device or instrument, or limiting the volume of sound or speech from a person. For example, in the context of music, a musician might mute their instrument by using a mute device or technique to alter the sound produced. Similarly, in the realm of technology, muting a phone or television means to silence or turn off the audio output.

    The term "mute" can also be used figuratively to describe a person who remains silent or refrains from expressing their opinions or feelings. It may connote an individual's reluctance to engage in conversation or their deliberate withholding of speech. In this context, being mute implies someone who remains quiet or controlled in certain social or emotional situations.

    Overall, "mute" is a versatile term that can denote a state of silence, the action of silencing or reducing sound, and occasionally, a behavioral disposition characterized by a lack of verbal communication.

  2. 1. Dumb. 2. A person who has not the faculty of speech.

    A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

  3. • Dung of birds.
    • Silent; uttering no sound; not having the power of utterance; not sounded, as a letter.
    • One naturally unable to speak; one remaining wilfully silent; in gram., applied to those consonants which intercept the voice in utterance, as k, p, and t; an attendant at a funeral; in Turkey, a dumb executioner; a little instr. of wood or brass used on a violin to soften or deaden the sounds.
    • To cast out the contents of the bowels, as birds.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for MUTE *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MUTE

Etymology of MUTE

The word "mute" comes from the Latin word "mutus", which means "dumb" or "silent". It was later borrowed into Old French as "mu" and then made its way into Middle English as "mute". The term originally referred to someone who was unable to speak, typically due to a physical or mental condition. Over time, it also came to be used to describe any sound or voice that is silenced or suppressed, leading to its current meanings in English.

Idioms with the word MUTE

  • stand mute The idiom "stand mute" means to remain silent or refuse to speak, typically in a situation where speaking or providing any information is expected or required. It can imply a form of stubbornness, resistance, or a deliberate refusal to cooperate or engage in conversation.

Similar spelling words for MUTE

Plural form of MUTE is MUTES

Conjugate verb Mute

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have muted
you would have muted
he/she/it would have muted
we would have muted
they would have muted
I would have mute
you would have mute
he/she/it would have mute
we would have mute
they would have mute

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been muting
you would have been muting
he/she/it would have been muting
we would have been muting
they would have been muting

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would mute
you would mute
he/she/it would mute
we would mute
they would mute

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be muting
you would be muting
he/she/it would be muting
we would be muting
they would be muting

FUTURE

I will mute
you will mute
he/she/it will mute
we will mute
they will mute

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be muting
you will be muting
he/she/it will be muting
we will be muting
they will be muting

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have muted
you will have muted
he/she/it will have muted
we will have muted
they will have muted

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been muting
you will have been muting
he/she/it will have been muting
we will have been muting
they will have been muting

IMPERATIVE

you mute
we let´s mute

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to mute

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was muting
you were muting
he/she/it was muting
we were muting
they were muting

PAST PARTICIPLE

muted

PAST PERFECT

I had muted
you had muted
he/she/it had muted
we had muted
they had muted

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been muting
you had been muting
he/she/it had been muting
we had been muting
they had been muting

PRESENT

I mute
you mute
he/she/it mutes
we mute
they mute

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am muting
you are muting
he/she/it is muting
we are muting
they are muting

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

muting

PRESENT PERFECT

I have muted
you have muted
he/she/it has muted
we have muted
they have muted

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been muting
you have been muting
he/she/it has been muting
we have been muting
they have been muting

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it mute

SIMPLE PAST

I muted
you muted
he/she/it muted
we muted
they muted

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