immaterial

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adjective im·ma·te·ri·al \ ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl \

Definition of immaterial

1 :not consisting of matter :incorporeal

2 :of no substantial consequence :unimportant

See immaterial defined for English-language learners

See immaterial defined for kids

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 of immaterial from the Web

That the methotrexate and salpingostomy are less injurious to the patient, cause less pain, and better preserve her fertility is immaterial.

— joanna petrone, Longreads, "Pregnant, then Ruptured," 18 Aug. 2017
But the reality of black life under slavery and under Jim Crow means that such cases are so rare as to be immaterial to the broader question at hand.

— kevin d. williamson, National Review, "Campus Racial Preferences, Again," 3 Aug. 2017
But there is a revolution and a revelation lurking in these childlike elements—a demonstration that the immaterial stuff of time can be evoked through the most material of forms.

— The Economist, "Alexander Calder made time a sculptural medium," 22 July 2017
Whether Israeli leaders actually have blueprints for the Third Temple or not is immaterial.

— daniel nerenberg, Washington Post, "Jerusalem is especially volatile right now. This is why.," 20 July 2017
That Jones batted .382 over the nine games starting that day is immaterial to him.

— jon meoli, baltimoresun.com, "With Orioles 'not clicking,' Adam Jones hopes they remember what made them successful," 23 June 2017
An internal investigation at Hain Celestial Group found past errors in its accounting were immaterial.

— miriam gottfried, WSJ, "’Immaterial’ Revision or Not, Hain Still has Problems," 22 June 2017
That sum is, in the overall scope of things, mostly immaterial for an athletic department with revenues of $125 million.

— adam jude, The Seattle Times, "UW athletic department expects a surprising surplus for 2017," 9 June 2017
The nature of Trump’s conversation with Comey about Flynn, while far from immaterial, is secondary.

— alex shephard, New Republic, "The Republican attempt to undercut James Comey’s testimony is pathetic.," 8 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'immaterial.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of immaterial

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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immaterial Synonyms

Synonyms

bodiless, ethereal, formless, incorporeal, insubstantial, nonmaterial, nonphysical, spiritual, unbodied, unsubstantial

Antonyms

bodily, corporeal, material, physical, substantial

Related Words

metaphysical, psychic (also psychical), supernatural; impalpable, insensible, intangible, invisible; airy, diaphanous, gaseous, gossamery, tenuous, thin, vaporous, wispish

Near Antonyms

animal, carnal, fleshly; detectable, discernible (also discernable), noticeable, observable, palpable, sensible, tangible, visible; bulky, heavy, massive, solid

IMMATERIAL Defined for English Language Learners

immaterial

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adjective

Definition of immaterial for English Language Learners

: not important or significant

IMMATERIAL Defined for Kids

immaterial

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adjective im·ma·te·ri·al \ ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl \

Definition of immaterial for Students

:not important :insignificant

The new evidence is immaterial.

Law Dictionary

immaterial

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adjective im·ma·te·ri·al \ ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl \

legal Definition of immaterial

:not essential, pertinent, or of consequence

the jury could have discounted the medical history evidence, or while accepting its accuracy, found it immaterial
—Willett v. State, 911 S.W.2d 937 (1995)

— compare irrelevant

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