muffler

muffler — noun

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

1.名詞B1
釋義

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.

例句

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.

同義詞
  • silencer

    British English term for the same car part

  • exhaust silencer

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

文法句型

a/the [adjective] muffler

muffler + of + [vehicle]

用法筆記

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

常見錯誤

❌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.名詞B1
釋義

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

例句

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

同義詞
  • 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

文法句型

a/the [adjective] muffler

wear/wrap/knit a muffler

用法筆記

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.

常見錯誤

❌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.