immaterial

adjective

im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: of no substantial consequence : unimportant

2

: not consisting of matter : incorporeal

Synonyms

• spiritual
• incorporeal
• metaphysical
• psychical
• 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

Emotion as Added Value One recurring and essential cog that keeps the watch business ticking remains immaterial: emotion. —Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 17 Apr. 2025

One’s major is immaterial, particularly in an economy as dynamic as ours. —John Tamny, Forbes.com, 1 June 2025

Hausmann said the dire conditions that led to multiple inmate deaths and physical attacks against prison employees in the year before its closure are immaterial. —Matthew Kelly, Kansas City Star, 23 May 2025

On some level, what happens to any individual character on The Handmaid’s Tale is immaterial. —Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 20 May 2025

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