material

¹ma·te·ri·al

adj \mə-ˈtir-ē-əl\

Definition of MATERIAL

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

Examples of MATERIAL

1. He is concerned only with his own material comforts.
2. The researchers included all data that was material.

Origin of MATERIAL

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to MATERIAL

Synonyms: concrete, physical, substantial

Antonyms: immaterial, nonmaterial, nonphysical

Related Words: bodily, carnal, corporal, corporeal, embodied, fleshly; apparent, appreciable, detectable, discernible (also discernable), noticeable, observable, palpable, perceptible, seeable, sensible, tangible, touchable, visible; objective, phenomenal; bulky, heavy, hefty, massive, ponderous, solid, weighty

Near Antonyms: bodiless, discarnate, disembodied, formless, incorporeal, unbodied; ethereal, insubstantial, unsubstantial; impalpable, imperceptible, insensible, intangible, invisible, unnoticeable; airy, diaphanous, gossamery, tenuous, thin, vaporous, wispish; metaphysical, spiritual

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of 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>.

Rhymes with MATERIAL

arterial, bacterial, diphtherial, empyreal, ethereal, funereal, imperial, sidereal, venereal, vizierial