immaterial

adjective

im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: of no substantial consequence : unimportant

It's immaterial if you stay or go.

2

: not consisting of matter : incorporeal

ghosts and other immaterial entities

Synonyms of immaterial

• spiritual
• incorporeal
• metaphysical
• nonmaterial
• invisible
• supernatural
• nonphysical
• insubstantial

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

That it’s named after one of the most dangerous animals in the world is immaterial. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 10 Jan. 2026

The fact Mahomes got hurt is immaterial to the fact the Chiefs were always bound to fall. —Andrew Callahan, Hartford Courant, 5 Jan. 2026

Those details are immaterial now. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 2 Jan. 2026

This avian tunnel stands for the immaterial and intuitive connectivity that has persisted in Urbano’s work ever since. —Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for immaterial

• magisterial
• managerial
• ministerial
• nonmaterial
• presbyterial
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• arterial
• bacterial
• ethereal
• funereal

Kids Definition

immaterial

adjective

im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌim-ə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: not consisting of matter

2

: not important : insignificant

Legal Definition

immaterial

adjective

im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: 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

immateriality

ˌi-mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun