immaterial

adjective

im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce immaterial (audio)
1
: of no substantial consequence : unimportant
2
: not consisting of matter : incorporeal

Examples of immaterial in a Sentence

Whether or not he intended to cause problems is immaterial. The fact that she is a woman is immaterial and irrelevant.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Between them, Sinner and Alcaraz have dispatched their only serious rival in three straight majors, largely making every other match at these tournaments feel almost immaterial. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2025 The justifications for the slaughter which started out so white hot after October 7th have cooled now, become more immaterial and incoherent. Jack Sheehan september 4, Literary Hub, 4 Sep. 2025 Relative to Rhode Island’s annual budget of nearly $14 billion, this increase in tax collections represents an immaterial impact. Nathan Goldman, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2025 The fact that it was conceived without thought and for decades was produced and consumed without thought is immaterial. Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for immaterial

Word History

Etymology

Middle English immaterial, from Late Latin immaterialis, from Latin in- + Late Latin materialis material

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of immaterial was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Immaterial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/immaterial. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

immaterial

adjective
im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌim-ə-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce immaterial (audio)
1
: not consisting of matter
2
: not important : insignificant

Legal Definition

immaterial

adjective
im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl How to pronounce immaterial (audio)
: not essential, pertinent, or of consequence
the jury could have discounted the medical history evidence, or while accepting its accuracy, found it immaterialWillett v. State, 911 S.W.2d 937 (1995)
compare irrelevant
immateriality noun

More from Merriam-Webster on immaterial

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!