matt
weary
Definition & meaning
The Swedish word matt is an adjective with several distinct meanings depending on the context:
- Exhausted or weak: It describes a state of physical or mental fatigue. If a person feels "matt," they feel faint, weary, or lacking in strength.
- Dull or matte: It describes a surface or color that is not shiny, reflective, or bright. This is commonly used in contexts like paint, photography, or fabric to denote a non-glossy finish.
- Faint or dim: It can describe light or sound that is weak, muffled, or lacks intensity.
- Checkmate: In the game of chess, "matt" (often as part of the phrase schackmatt) indicates that the king is in a position where it cannot escape capture, ending the game.
Grammar & Word origin
Grammar: Matt is an adjective. Its forms are:
- matt (singular indefinite common and neuter)
- matta (plural and definite)
Note: While the singular form is the same for both "en" and "ett" words (en matt yta, ett matt sken), the plural form matta is identical to the Swedish noun for "carpet" or "rug," though they are grammatically different.
Word origin: The sense of being "weak" or "dull" comes from the Middle Low German word mat, which originally meant "exhausted" or "beaten." The chess term "matt" shares the same root but traces further back to the Persian word māt, meaning "helpless" or "defeated."
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
Antonyms
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Examples
Hon känner sig matt efter träningen.adjective
She feels weary after the workout.
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