a matter of
idiom
1
—used to refer to a small amount
It cooks in a matter of (a few) minutes.
The crisis was resolved in a matter of a few hours.
The ball was foul by a matter of inches.
2
—used to say that one thing results from or requires another
Learning to ride a bicycle is a matter of practice.
His success was just a matter of being in the right place at the right time.
It's only a matter of time before/until we catch him.
3
—used to explain the reason for something
She insists on honesty as a matter of principle.
All requests for free tickets are turned down as a matter of policy.
Examples of a matter of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
How these objects get their distinctive form is still a matter of debate among astronomers, NOIRLab said.
—
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024
Climate change is arguably the biggest challenge facing humanity, affordable housing is a matter of economic justice and a necessity for Evanston to retain the socioeconomic diversity that is core to our identity, and unique small businesses give our town its local charm.
—Daniel Biss, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2024
For bats, good sleep hygiene is a matter of life and death.
—Corey Buhay, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2024
This no-cook fudge frosting recipe takes the hassle out of making the creamy cake-topper from scratch—you’ll be enjoying a deliciously rich, chocolatey mixture in a matter of minutes!
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024
When foragers choose to capture and cook cicadas during this emergence is a matter of taste and timing.
—Tejal Rao, New York Times, 6 May 2024
Her academic credentials have been a matter of public scrutiny, with both Redditors and a recent Times reviewer pointing to the unavailability of her dissertation online.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
Related: The 10 Best Lobster Shacks in Maine Maine is among a handful of states to have an item of food as its symbol—not through legislative action, the way calamari was designated the appetizer of Rhode Island in 2014, but as a matter of collective fancy.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2024
Being able to serve the community as a matter of principle rather than profit is part of what keeps Brothers running after more than 40 years.
—Sponsored Content, The Denver Post, 1 May 2024
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 9 May 2024
Climate change is arguably the biggest challenge facing humanity, affordable housing is a matter of economic justice and a necessity for Evanston to retain the socioeconomic diversity that is core to our identity, and unique small businesses give our town its local charm.
—Daniel Biss, Chicago Tribune, 8 May 2024
For bats, good sleep hygiene is a matter of life and death.
—Corey Buhay, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 May 2024
This no-cook fudge frosting recipe takes the hassle out of making the creamy cake-topper from scratch—you’ll be enjoying a deliciously rich, chocolatey mixture in a matter of minutes!
—Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024
When foragers choose to capture and cook cicadas during this emergence is a matter of taste and timing.
—Tejal Rao, New York Times, 6 May 2024
Her academic credentials have been a matter of public scrutiny, with both Redditors and a recent Times reviewer pointing to the unavailability of her dissertation online.
—Manvir Singh, The New Yorker, 6 May 2024
Related: The 10 Best Lobster Shacks in Maine Maine is among a handful of states to have an item of food as its symbol—not through legislative action, the way calamari was designated the appetizer of Rhode Island in 2014, but as a matter of collective fancy.
—Kevin West, Travel + Leisure, 5 May 2024
Being able to serve the community as a matter of principle rather than profit is part of what keeps Brothers running after more than 40 years.
—Sponsored Content, The Denver Post, 1 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'a matter of.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near a matter of
Cite this Entry
“A matter of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20matter%20of. Accessed 12 May. 2024.
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