matter

1 a major object of interest or concern (as in a discussion or artistic composition) <that is not relevant to the matter under discussion> Synonyms content, motif, motive, question, subject, theme, topic Related Words subject matter; talking point; count, idea, point, purpose; consideration, issue, problem; body, bulk, burden, centerpiece, core, crux, essence, fundamental, generality, gist, grist, heart, kernel, keynote, main, marrow, mass, net, nub, nubbin, nucleus, pith, pivot, purport, quick, staple, substance, sum; basis; bottom, essential, essentiality; affair, argument, debate Near Antonyms aside, digression, excursion, interjection, parenthesis, tangent

2 something to be dealt with <we must take care of this matter before it becomes a real problem> Synonyms affair, business, thing Related Words consideration, issue, problem; crisis, crossroad(s), crunch, emergency, exigency, flash point, head, juncture, strait, zero hour; concern, trouble, worry; care, lookout, responsibility; deadlock, halt, impasse, stalemate, standstill; corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, pickle, pinch, predicament, scrape, spot Phrases ball of wax

3 communications or parcels sent or carried through the postal system <first-class matter> Synonyms correspondence, mail, parcel post, post [chiefly British], snail mailRelated Words airmail, airpost, certified mail, registered mail, rural delivery, rural free delivery, special delivery, special handling; direct mail, junk mail, mailer; card, dispatch, epistle, letter, message, missive, note, postal card, postcard, printed matter; bundle, package, shipment

4 something that requires thought and skill for resolution <I've been thinking about the matter all night, and I believe I have a solution> Synonyms case, challenge, knot, problem, nut, troubleRelated Words issue, question; corner, fix, hole, hot water, jam, mire, pickle, predicament, quagmire, spot; crux, Gordian knot, sticky wicket, toughie (also toughy); catch-22, dilemma, quandary; catch, glitch, hitch, pitfall, snag; conundrum, enigma, mystery, puzzle, puzzlement, riddle; brainteaser, perplexer, poser, stumperNear Antonyms magic bullet, silver bullet; cure-all, panaceaAntonyms answer, solution

5 an approximate amount, extent, or degree <a simple meal that can be prepared in a matter of 20 to 30 minutes> Synonyms neighborhood, tune, vicinityRelated Words ballpark; nearness, proximity