Muffled

Muffled is an adjective describing a sound that is not clearly heard or is softened by obstruction or material that absorbs sound. It can refer to a voice or other noise that appears quiet or indistinct, either because something physically covers the sound source or because the surrounding environment dampens higher frequencies and reduces clarity.

Muffling occurs in many contexts. Physically, a scarf, hand, or closed door can muffle a voice. A car’s exhaust may be muffled by a muffler, reducing noise. In architectural or interior settings, soft furnishings, carpets, and heavy curtains can create a muffled acoustic by absorbing sound.

In medical and descriptive usage, muffled can describe sounds that are not clearly audible, such as muffled heart sounds or breath sounds, which may indicate particular states; in audio and music, producers may apply muffling or use dampers to achieve a subdued tone.

The term derives from the verb muff, meaning to wrap or cover to deaden sound, with muffled describing the resulting state. It is widely used in everyday language and in technical descriptions of acoustics and hearing.