muffler

muffler — noun

1. A metal or steel part fitted to the exhaust pipe of a car, truck, or motorcycle

1.nounB1
Definition

A metal or steel part fitted to the exhaust pipe of a car, truck, or motorcycle that makes the engine sound quieter when it is running.

Example

Felix took his old truck to the mechanic to replace the broken muffler last Tuesday.

replace + broken muffler — common car repair collocation

The muffler on Aarav's motorcycle was so loud that the neighbours complained every morning.

Common collocations
  • replace a muffler
  • broken muffler
  • rusted muffler
  • muffler fell off
  • muffler shop
  • muffler repair
Synonyms
  • silencer

    British English term for the same car part

  • exhaust silencer

    more formal or technical term, used in both British and some international contexts

Grammar Patterns

a/the [adjective] muffler

muffler + of + [vehicle]

Usage Note

In British English, this part is usually called a silencer. The word muffler is standard in American English and in many Asian learner contexts.

Common Mistakes

The muffler on my car makes the engine quieter when it is broken.
A broken muffler makes the engine louder because it no longer reduces the sound.
A broken muffler increases noise, it does not reduce it.
I need to repair my muffler pipe.
I need to repair my muffler.
The muffler is the whole part, not a pipe.

2. A long strip of thick fabric, such as wool or cashmere, that you wind around you

2.nounB1
Definition

A long strip of thick fabric, such as wool or cashmere, that you wind around your neck to protect you from the cold.

Example

Beatrix wrapped a thick woolen muffler around her neck before stepping outside into the snow.

wrap a [fabric] muffler around [body part] — typical wearing action

Élise knitted a long striped muffler as a birthday gift for her uncle.

knit + muffler — craft-related collocation

Common collocations
  • woolen muffler
  • knitted muffler
  • cashmere muffler
  • wrap a muffler
  • thick muffler
  • heavy muffler
Synonyms
  • scarf

    the more common modern word; scarf can be any weight or fabric, while muffler suggests a heavy winter piece

  • neckerchief

    a smaller, lighter square of cloth tied around the neck, not the same heavy winter item

Grammar Patterns

a/the [adjective] muffler

wear/wrap/knit a muffler

Usage Note

This sense is somewhat old-fashioned in modern everyday English, especially in American English, where scarf is the common word. However, muffler is still used in British English and in many Asian varieties of English, particularly for a thick winter scarf made of wool or knit.

Common Mistakes

I bought a new muffler for my neck in summer.
I bought a new muffler for the winter trip to the mountains.
A muffler (scarf) is for cold weather, not general fashion use.
She wore a silk muffler to the beach party.
She wore a woolen muffler to keep warm in the ski lodge.
Mufflers are typically thick and warm, not light summer accessories.

Word family

  • muffle
    verbB2
  • muffled
    adjectiveB2
  • muffling
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Muffler (American English) and silencer (British English) refer to the same car part — the metal chamber fitted to the exhaust that reduces engine noise. Use muffler in US contexts and silencer in UK contexts; learners should pick one variety and stay consistent. An exhaust pipe is a different component: it is the metal tube that carries exhaust gases from the engine toward the rear of the vehicle, and the muffler is attached to it. A resonator is a secondary chamber sometimes installed near the muffler to fine-tune the sound frequency the driver hears. If you say 'the exhaust pipe is broken,' you mean gas is leaking from the tube; if you say 'the muffler is broken,' you mean the engine sounds unusually loud because the noise-dampening chamber has failed.

silencerexhaust piperesonator

Common collocations

Nouns

  • muffler shop
  • muffler repair
  • muffler replacement

Phrases

  • replace a muffler
  • wrap a muffler
  • wear a muffler

Prepositions

  • muffler on [a vehicle]
  • muffler around [the neck]

Etymology

Old FrenchMiddle EnglishEnglish

Muffler comes from the verb muffle (meaning 'to wrap up or cover') plus the suffix -er ('something that does'). The verb muffle entered Middle English from Old French moufle, meaning a thick glove or mitten — something that covers your hands and keeps them warm. Both modern senses follow from this idea of covering: a muffler covers your neck to keep warm, and an engine muffler covers or deadens the sound of the engine.