MUFFLED

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does muffled mean? 

• MUFFLED (adjective)
  The adjective MUFFLED has 2 senses:

1. being or made softer or less loud or clear

2. wrapped up especially for protection or secrecy

  Familiarity information: MUFFLED used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MUFFLED (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Being or made softer or less loud or clear

Synonyms:

dull; muffled; muted; softened

Context example:

muted trumpets

Similar:

soft ((of sound) relatively low in volume)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Wrapped up especially for protection or secrecy

Context example:

children muffled almost to the eyebrows

Similar:

covered (overlaid or spread or topped with or enclosed within something; sometimes used as a combining form)

 Context examples 

His meals were interrupted by the frequent flight of the presiding genius, who deserted him, half-helped, if a muffled chirp sounded from the nest above.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It came to my ears as a muffled roar.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

At length, Dora regularly muffled him in a towel and shut him up there, whenever my aunt was reported at the door.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Attacks of dizziness may come on suddenly or after a short period of tinnitus or muffled hearing.

(Meniere's Disease, NIH: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders)

I heard voices, too, speaking with a hollow sound, and as if muffled by a rush of wind or water: agitation, uncertainty, and an all-predominating sense of terror confused my faculties.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

He replied in a muffled voice he did not recognize, saying that he was merely taking a nap.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Many people were moving to and fro, most of them muffled in their coats and cravats.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Her voice, too, which had been so clear and ringing, was now low and muffled as that of one who speaks from a distance.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

They were far off, but the sound, even though coming muffled through the deadening snowfall, was full of terror.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

"Come in," Messner called, in a voice muffled because at the moment he was sucking loose a fragment of ice from its anchorage on his upper lip.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)