matted

¹

[ mat-id ]

adjective

1. covered with a dense growth or a tangled mass:

   a garden matted with weeds.

2. formed into a mat; entangled in a thick mass:

   matted hair.

3. formed of mats, or of plaited or woven material.
4. covered with mats or matting.

matted

²

[ mat-id ]

adjective

1. having a dull finish; matte.

matted

/ ˈmætɪd /

adjective

1. tangled into a thick mass

   matted hair

2. covered with or formed of matting

Other Words From

• matted·ly adverb
• matted·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of matted¹

First recorded in 1600–10; mat ¹ + -ed ²

Origin of matted²

First recorded in 1815–25; matte ¹ + -ed ²

Example Sentences

Joan held her much-longed-for daughter for only for a few minutes – she remembers gazing at the newborn’s red face and matted hair.

From BBC

“You’ve got the copper complexion of a Turkoman, if it wasn’t covered in dirt, and the brown curls of a Greek, if they weren’t matted down with blood.”

From Literature

As she circles back, wheezing from physical exertion and favoring an injured ankle, she is startled to find a coyote standing over the man, its muzzle matted with blood.

From Seattle Times

The job was messy because recent rains had created a muddy scene for the volunteers who had to collect the bunnies, most of which had matted fur.

From Los Angeles Times

Tattered curtains, matted carpets and missing shower heads were replaced.

From Los Angeles Times