mat

/mæt/
noun
  1. A piece of material, often made of fabric, rubber, or straw, placed on a floor or other surface for protection, comfort, or decoration.
    • We put a soft mat under the baby's play area for safety.
    • The yoga instructor asked everyone to unroll their mats and sit down.
    • She wiped her shoes on the doormat before entering the house.
  2. A small rug or covering for a table or other surface.
    • The placemats at the restaurant had colorful patterns.
    • He placed a hot dish on the table mat to protect the wood.
    • She bought a new set of coasters and a matching table mat.
  3. A thick, tangled mass of something, such as hair or vegetation.
    • The dog's fur had formed a mat that needed to be brushed out.
    • After the storm, a mat of seaweed washed up on the beach.
    • A thick mat of leaves covered the forest floor.
Synonyms
adjective
  1. Having a dull, non-shiny surface; not glossy.
    • He bought a mat lipstick that stays on longer than the glossy kind.
    • She prefers mat paint for her bedroom walls because it hides imperfections.
    • The car's mat finish gave it a sleek, modern look.
Antonyms
verb
  1. To become tangled or pressed into a thick mass.
    • If you don't brush your hair regularly, it will mat and become difficult to manage.
    • The carpet mats easily in high-traffic areas.
    • The wet wool matted together as it dried in the sun.
  2. To cover or provide with a mat.
    • They decided to mat the floor of the gym for wrestling practice.
    • The artist matted the photograph with a white border before framing it.
    • We need to mat the entrance to keep dirt from getting inside.
Synonyms
What does "mat" mean? | whatsthatwordmean | whatsthatwordmean