A piece of material placed on a floor or other surface, used to protect, decorate, or provide a soft surface. noun
She placed a welcome mat at the front door.
The yoga instructor asked everyone to bring their own mat to class.
A thick, tangled mass of something, such as hair or fibers. noun
Her hair was a tangled mat after the windy day at the beach.
The dog's fur became a mat after playing in the mud.
To tangle or entangle into a thick mass. verb
The wool fibers matted together during the felting process.
His hair matted after not being brushed for days.
Having a dull, non-reflective surface. adjective
The photograph was printed on a mat paper to reduce glare.
She preferred a mat finish for her paintings to avoid reflections.