Definition

1. Verb:
   • To deaden or soften a sound, especially by wrapping or covering: To make a sound quieter or less distinct, often by placing something over or around the source of the sound.
   • To wrap or cover for warmth or concealment: To envelop or swathe something, typically a part of the body, in fabric or clothing.
   • To suppress or restrain (an emotion, expression, or action): To hold back or stifle something, making it less noticeable or intense.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to deaden sound):
  • She used a pillow to muffle the sound of the alarm clock.
  • The thick carpet helped to muffle our footsteps in the hallway.
• Verb (to wrap for warmth/concealment):
  • He muffled his face with a scarf against the bitter cold.
  • The figure was muffled in a dark cloak.
• Verb (to suppress):
  • He tried to muffle his laughter during the serious meeting.
  • She could not muffle her feelings of disappointment.

Advanced Usage

• "to muffle up": To wrap oneself or someone thoroughly, especially in warm clothing.
  • Make sure to muffle up well; it's freezing outside.
• In a technical/mechanical context: Refers to a device (a muffler) that reduces noise, such as on a car exhaust.
  • The mechanic replaced the muffler to muffle the engine's roar.

Variants and Related Words

• Muffler (noun): A device used to deaden sound, especially on a vehicle; a scarf worn for warmth.
  • The car's muffler needs repair.
  • She wore a woolen muffler.
• Muffled (adjective): Describing a sound that is not loud or clear because it is blocked.
  • We heard muffled voices from the next room.

Synonyms

• Deaden: To make a sound less loud or distinct.
• Dampen: To reduce the intensity or amplitude of a sound or feeling.
• Stifle: To suppress or restrain (a sound, cough, or emotion).
• Suppress: To prevent something from being expressed or revealed.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Muffle up: To cover or wrap oneself or something completely, usually for warmth.
  • It was so windy that I had to muffle up in my heaviest coat.

Related Idioms

• No common idioms are directly and exclusively formed with the verb "muffle." Its meanings are typically used in literal descriptions (e.g., muffled sounds, muffled in cloth).

Noun

1. a kiln with an inner chamber for firing things at a low temperature

Verb

1. deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping
2. conceal or hide
   • smother a yawn
   • muffle one's anger
   • strangle a yawn