material

1 of 2

adjective

ma·te·ri·al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl

Synonyms of material next

a(1)

: relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter

especially : physical

the material world

(2)

: bodily

material needs

b(1)

: of or relating to matter rather than form

material cause

the material aspect of being

(2)

: of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning

especially : empirical

material knowledge

: having real importance or great consequences

facts material to the investigation

: being of a physical or worldly nature

a grossly material form of love

: relating to or concerned with physical rather than spiritual or intellectual things

material progress

provide material assistance

materially

mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē

adverb

materialness noun

material

2 of 2

noun

a(1)

: the elements, constituents, or substances of which something is composed or can be made

(2)

: matter that has qualities which give it individuality and by which it may be categorized

sticky material

explosive materials

b(1)

: something (such as data) that may be worked into a more finished form

material for a biography

(2)

: something used for or made the object of study

material for the next semester

(3)

: a performer's repertoire

a comedian's material

: matter sense 3b

: cloth

: a person potentially suited to some pursuit

varsity material

leadership material

: apparatus necessary for doing or making something

writing materials

: matériel

Choose the Right Synonym for material

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality.

material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

synonyms see in addition relevant

Example Sentences

Adjective He is concerned only with his own material comforts. The researchers included all data that was material. Noun paper, plastic, or other materials She was never without reading material. The curtains required yards of expensive material.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

At least one outlet has called into question whether the uptick in theft is truly material. —

Rob Wile, NBC News, 7 June 2023 With the sun currently in Taurus, the moon in Scorprio encourages us to focus on the balance between the two signs, according to Cafe Astrology – between form and transformation, material life and intangible mysteries. —

oregonlive, 2 May 2023 In a September ruling, Molloy said Sanders isn't a material witness because the interrogation was recorded and a Ludlow police detective, who was present for the interview, can testify if necessary. —

Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 19 Apr. 2023 These services include pregnancy testing, counseling, prenatal classes, adoption education, and material aid such as diapers and formula. —

Tori Otten, The New Republic, 13 Apr. 2023 Oh, there’s a risk that drought is going to have a material impact on Utah municipalities? —

Peter Krull, Forbes, 27 Mar. 2023 This has been a long-standing explanation among liberal thinkers: that Americans’ hardwired belief in meritocracy drives them to conflate material success with deservingness. —

Matthew Desmond, The New York Review of Books, 21 Mar. 2023 Here, there is no material reward for whoever successfully grapples, in the unforgiving Yukon, with the question of what keeps us alive. —

Max Ufberg, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 May 2023 There is still no guarantee that these material issues can be solved. —

Philip Ball, Scientific American, 16 May 2023

Noun

The boxes turned out to contain highly sensitive material with classified markings, prompting a Justice Department investigation. —

Alan Feuer, BostonGlobe.com, 9 June 2023 The archives found 14 of the 15 boxes contained classified materials. —

Rachel Looker, USA TODAY, 9 June 2023 Hose size: Hoses for above-ground sprinklers are made from different materials to guard against kinking. —

Dan Diclerico, goodhousekeeping.com, 9 June 2023 Superb long-distance tourer, quick and composed, daring interior materials really work. —

John Voelcker, Car and Driver, 8 June 2023 Each mask is good for up to 10 hours of wear and is made with hypoallergenic material that's free of latex. —

Carly Kulzer, Peoplemag, 8 June 2023 For example, Insinkerator suggests grinding hard materials, like ice, to scour the chamber. —

Kristina Mcguirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 June 2023 For many years, fluorocarbon was primarily used as a leader material. —

Joe Cermele, Field & Stream, 8 June 2023 His figures are of the painting but not entirely of the painting — inhabiting a nether material state. —

Carolina A. Miranda, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'material.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English materiel, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin materialis, from Latin materia matter — more at matter

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Time Traveler

The first known use of material was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Cite this Entry

Style

“Material.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/material. Accessed 20 Jun. 2023.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective

ma·te·ri·al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl

: relating to or consisting of matter : physical

the material world

material comforts

: important sense 1

food is material to health

: relevant

is that information material to the problem?

: physical rather than spiritual or intellectual

material needs

materiality

-ˌtir-ē-ˈal-ət-ē

noun

materially

-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē

adverb

material

2 of 2 noun

: the elements or substance of which something is made or can be made

building materials

: equipment and supplies for doing or making something

writing materials

Legal Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective

ma·te·ri·al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl

: of, relating to, or consisting of physical matter

: being of real importance or consequence

: being an essential component

the material terms of the contract

: being relevant to a subject under consideration

specifically : being such as would affect or be taken into consideration by a reasonable person in acting or making a decision see also insider trading

materiality

mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē

noun

materially adverb

material

2 of 2 noun

: something used for or made the object of consideration or study

specifically : evidence see also brady material