muted sound

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "muted sound" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a sound that is quiet or has been softened in volume, often in contexts related to audio or music. Example: "The muted sound of the piano created a serene atmosphere in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Technology

Music

Travel

Garden

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

Mr. Milosh said he suspects that Rhye's muted sound is behind the confusion over his sex.

The New York Times - Arts

Even when the entire crowd is chanting your player's name as he nears match point, it is a muted sound.

The New York Times - Tech

The engines have been criticised for both creating a muted sound and for producing a processional style.

The Guardian - Sport

The muted sound, making the sirens and blaring horns sound strangely distant, as if underwater, or in some horrible dream.

The Guardian

If his muted sound, with its abbreviated notes, has always evoked Miles Davis in his cool period, his sunny emotional attitude is the opposite of Davis's introspective mutterings.

The New York Times - Arts

Of the Polycom videoconference systems that popped up in Mr. Moore's scan, none blocked control of the camera, asked for a password or muted sound.

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

So when the runners reach this stretch, "they are met with silence, interrupted only by the rustling of the fall leaves on the street or the muted sounds of small hands clapping.

The New York Times

This pensive study set five dancers inside a small square space, bounded by four handsome wooden frames on wheels (designed by Jeremy Lydic and Mr. Gibsonn's layered score, full of the muted sounds of conversation and perhaps dishes.

The New York Times - Arts

In "ni die saa" (the title means "I do paint music" in Zapotec), which here received its world premiere by the fearless International Contemporary Ensemble, the musicians engaged in a rite of violence against their instruments in which the relatively muted sounds they produced were completely at odds with the furious effort expended.

The New York Times - Arts

Qasim Naqvi's drumbeats were weirdly small and clipped; Amino Belyamani's single piano notes, damped with his free hand inside the instrument to create muted sounds or harmonics, could suggest a drum or a ngoni, the West African lute; the bassist Aakaash Israni sometimes played a repeated two-note phrase with a great dynamic shift between one and the other, as if traded between two people.

The New York Times - Arts

Oh, the muted lights in buses at night and the muted sounds.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "muted sound" to describe auditory experiences where the volume or intensity is intentionally reduced or naturally diminished, such as in sound design, music production, or environmental descriptions. This can help convey a sense of calmness, distance, or subtlety.

Common error

Avoid using "muted sound" to describe visual elements; "muted" typically applies to audio. Instead of saying "the room had a muted sound", consider "the room had muted colors" if you're referring to a subdued palette.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "muted sound" functions as a descriptive element, typically acting as an adjective-noun combination. As Ludwig AI highlights, it effectively conveys a quiet or softened auditory experience. Examples include describing the atmosphere in a room or the characteristics of a musical instrument.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Arts

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "muted sound" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a quiet or softened auditory experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and applicable in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media, arts, and technology, demonstrating its versatility across different fields. While alternatives like "softened sound" or "dampened sound" exist, "muted sound" provides a specific nuance related to reduced intensity or altered sound quality. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an intentional or natural reduction in sound, and avoid applying it to visual descriptions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

softened sound

Replaces "muted" with "softened", emphasizing a reduction in intensity.

dampened sound

Suggests that the sound has been suppressed or muffled.

subdued sound

Indicates a sound that is less intense or prominent.

muffled sound

Implies the sound is not clear because something is blocking it.

quiet sound

A more general term for a sound with low volume.

faint sound

Describes a sound that is barely audible.

hushed sound

Suggests a sound that is deliberately made quiet.

dulled sound

Indicates a reduction in sharpness or clarity of the sound.

low sound

A sound that has a low volume.

reduced sound

Simply indicates that the sound's intensity has been lessened.

FAQs

How can I use "muted sound" in a sentence?

You can use "muted sound" to describe a sound that is quiet, softened, or muffled. For example: "The recording captured the "muted sound" of the rain against the window" or "The "muted sound" of the city was calming from the rooftop garden."

What can I say instead of "muted sound"?

Alternatives to "muted sound" include "softened sound", "dampened sound", or "subdued sound" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each alternative suggests a slightly different way in which the sound has been reduced or altered.

Is it correct to use "muted" to describe something other than sound?

While "muted" primarily describes sound, it can also be used metaphorically to describe colors or emotions that are subdued or restrained. However, it's most commonly associated with auditory experiences.

What's the difference between "muted sound" and "quiet sound"?

"Quiet sound" simply indicates a low volume, whereas "muted sound" suggests that the sound has been deliberately or naturally softened or altered in some way. A "muted sound" may not necessarily be quiet, but its characteristics have been changed.