materialize

verb

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz 

materialized; materializing

transitive verb

1

a

: to make material : objectify

b

: to cause to appear in bodily form

materialize the spirits of the dead

2

: to cause to be materialistic

intransitive verb

1

: to assume bodily form

2

a

: to appear especially suddenly

b

: to come into existence

materializer noun

Synonyms of materialize

• begin
• originate
• arise
• start
• appear
• commence
• be
• emerge

Examples of materialize in a Sentence

A waiter suddenly materialized beside our table.

Rain clouds materialized on the horizon.

Recent Examples on the Web

However, no major movement to pressure Martin to step down as DNC chair has materialized. — Oren Oppenheim, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

District leaders warned that the move could leave CPS vulnerable to midyear cuts if the money doesn’t materialize. — Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 13 Aug. 2026

Prices are up about 4% this week as a deal between Washington and Tehran still has not materialized. — Justina Lee,chloe Taylor, CNBC, 13 Aug. 2026

If that question goes unanswered, adoption slows, resistance builds and the value of the change never fully materializes. — Eric Giesecke, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for materialize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

materialize

verb

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz 

materialized; materializing

1

: to give material form and substance to

2

: to assume or cause to assume bodily form

a ghost materialized out of nowhere

3

a

: to come into existence

a promise that never materialized

b

: to appear suddenly