material Meaning & Definition
What Does Material Mean?
Material is used as an adjective meaning relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter. It is also used to mean physical. As a noun, it means the elements, constituents, or substances of which something is composed or can be made.
Word Facts for Material
| Part of speech | adjective, noun |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /mə-ˈtir-ē-əl/ |
| Syllables | 4 |
| Synonyms | substantial, crucial and tangible |
| Antonyms | incorporeal, immaterial and unreal |
| Plural | materials |
| Comparative / superlative | more material, most material |
| Adverb | materially |
Material Definition (Adjective)
- relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter
- physical
the material world
- bodily
material needs
- of or relating to matter rather than form
material cause / the material aspect of being
- of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning
- 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
Material as a Noun
- the elements, constituents, or substances of which something is composed or can be made
- matter that has qualities which give it individuality and by which it may be categorized
sticky material / explosive materials
- something (such as data) that may be worked into a more finished form
material for a biography
- something used for or made the object of study
material for the next semester
- a performer's repertoire
a comedian's material
- matter
- cloth
- a person potentially suited to some pursuit
varsity material / leadership material
- apparatus necessary for doing or making something
writing materials
- matériel
Synonyms of Material
Antonyms of Material
Material in a Sentence
This compound has a number of interesting material properties.
material needs
material cause
the material aspect of being
found a material difference between two things
You've made several material contributions to this project.
This is the most material fact in this lawsuit.
the material world
interested only in material progress
Don't let material concerns get in the way of living a happy life.
Asphalt, composed of oil and sand, is a widely used material for roads.
boy/girlfriend material
marriage material
We have lots of presidential material in various public offices.
teaching materials
We were a warm-up act at the time; we didn't have enough original material to headline.
a piece of material
You'll need about a yard of material to make this.
The solid materials of the mixture will settle to the bottom of the container.
The material of his character was basically good.
He is not the only one. I believe we have lots of presidential material in various public offices.
material knowledge
facts material to the investigation
a grossly material form of love
material progress
provide material assistance
sticky material
explosive materials
material for a biography
material for the next semester
a comedian's material
varsity material
leadership material
writing materials
she's clearly movie star material
I have all the materials to build the mobile
there's no material evidence, such as a dead body, that a murder has been committed
there's no material difference between the two designs for the skyscraper: one's as bad as the other
people who worry more about material concerns than about spiritual ones
that information, while fascinating, is not material to our discussion
material needs such as food and warmth
material cause / the material aspect of being
material progress / provide material assistance
sticky material / explosive materials
varsity material / leadership material
Word Forms & Grammar
ma·te·ri·al·ly adverb
ma·te·ri·al·ness noun
material
materially
materialness
materialnesses
materials
material (comparative more material, superlative most material)
material (countable and uncountable, plural materials)
material (third-person singular simple present materials, present participle (US) materialing or (UK) materialling, simple past and past participle (US) materialed or (UK) materialled)
Words That Rhyme With Material
Origin of Material
Origin 1: Middle English materiel, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin materialis, from Latin materia matter matter
Origin 2: see material:1
Origin 3: From Middle English material, from Late Latin māteriālis, from Latin māteria (“wood, material, substance”), from māter (“mother”). Displaced native Middle English andweorc, andwork (“material, matter”) (from Old English andweorc (“matter, substance, material”)). Doublet of materiel.
First Known Use
14th century
1556
Material Pronunciation
You say material as /mə-ˈtir-ē-əl/. It has 4 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (tir).
Frequently Asked Questions About Material
Is material an adjective or a noun?
Material is mainly used as an adjective, but it can also be used as a noun.
What is another word for material?
Close synonyms of material are substantial, crucial and tangible. See the full list of material synonyms and antonyms.
What is the opposite of material?
Antonyms of material include incorporeal, immaterial, unreal and insubstantial.
What is the plural of material?
The plural of material is materials.
What are the comparative and superlative forms of material?
The comparative form is more material and the superlative form is most material.
More About Material On Meaning Stash
More Words Starting With “Mate”
- mate
- mated
- materialization
- materializations
- materialize
- materialized
- materializes
- materializing
- materials
- maternal