Main Entry: ¹ma·te·ri·al

Pronunciation: \mə-ˈtir-ē-əl\

Function: adjective

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

Date: 14th century

1 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> (2) : of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning; especially : empirical <material knowledge>
2 : having real importance or great consequences <facts material to the investigation>
3 a : being of a physical or worldly nature b : relating to or concerned with physical rather than spiritual or intellectual things <material progress>

— ma·te·ri·al·ly \-ē-ə-lē\ adverb

— ma·te·ri·al·ness noun

synonyms 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