1. To make a sound quieter: This is the most common meaning. It can refer to physically covering something to reduce its sound, or metaphorically softening the intensity of something.
* Examples:
* "He muffled his cough with his hand."
* "The thick curtains muffled the sound of the street traffic."
* "She tried to muffle her anger."
2. To wrap something in a soft material: This meaning is often related to clothing or other objects.
* Examples:
* "She muffled her face in her scarf."
* "The old, worn leather muffled the sound of his footsteps."
3. (Archaic) To wrap a head or face in a hood or other covering: This meaning is less common in modern English.
* Example:
* "The knight muffled his face to conceal his identity."
4. (Informal) To eat quietly and without making a sound: This meaning is less formal and more colloquial.
* Example:
* "He muffled his sandwich in the corner of the room."
The meaning of "muffle" will be clear from the context in which it's used.