material

1 of 2

adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

a(1)

: relating to, derived from, or consisting of matter

especially : physical

the material world

(2)

: bodily

material needs

b(1)

: of or relating to matter rather than form

material cause

the material aspect of being

(2)

: of or relating to the subject matter of reasoning

especially : empirical

material knowledge

2

: having real importance or great consequences

facts material to the investigation

3

a

: being of a physical or worldly nature

a grossly material form of love

b

: relating to or concerned with physical rather than spiritual or intellectual things

material progress

provide material assistance

materially

mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

materialness noun

material

2 of 2

noun

1

a(1)

: the elements, constituents, or substances of which something is composed or can be made

(2)

: matter that has qualities which give it individuality and by which it may be categorized

sticky material

explosive materials

b(1)

: something (such as data) that may be worked into a more finished form

material for a biography

(2)

: something used for or made the object of study

material for the next semester

(3)

: a performer's repertoire

a comedian's material

c

: matter sense 3b

d

: cloth

e

: a person potentially suited to some pursuit

varsity material

leadership material

2

a

: apparatus necessary for doing or making something

writing materials

b

: matériel

Synonyms

Adjective

• physical
• concrete
• substantial

Noun

• potential
• substance
• making

Choose the Right Synonym for material

material, physical, corporeal, phenomenal, sensible, objective mean of or belonging to actuality.

material implies formation out of tangible matter; used in contrast with spiritual or ideal it may connote the mundane, crass, or grasping.

material values

physical applies to what is perceived directly by the senses and may contrast with mental, spiritual, or imaginary.

the physical benefits of exercise

corporeal implies having the tangible qualities of a body such as shape, size, or resistance to force.

artists have portrayed angels as corporeal beings

phenomenal applies to what is known or perceived through the senses rather than by intuition or rational deduction.

scientists concerned with the phenomenal world

sensible stresses the capability of readily or forcibly impressing the senses.

the earth's rotation is not sensible to us

objective may stress material or independent existence apart from a subject perceiving it.

no objective evidence of damage

synonyms see in addition relevant

Examples of material in a Sentence

Adjective

He is concerned only with his own material comforts.

The researchers included all data that was material.

Noun

paper, plastic, or other materials

She was never without reading material.

The curtains required yards of expensive material.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Its focus on material innovation reinforces the brand’s poetic and artisanal identity. —Rhonda Richford, Footwear News, 30 June 2025

The men’s version hasn’t changed an iota since the First Four was added in 2011 and hasn’t changed in any material way since growing to 64 teams (from 53) four decades ago. —Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 28 June 2025

Noun

Their core ingredient is the engagement of the entire campus community — students, faculty, staff and sometimes the outside community — in reading the same material in order to promote a wide-ranging conversation about an important issue or controversy. —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Certain types of roofing materials are designed to reflect more sunlight than their counterparts, leading to cooler interiors. —Maddie Topliff, Better Homes & Gardens, 1 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Middle English materiel, from Middle French & Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin materialis, from Latin materia matter — more at matter

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Noun

1556, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Phrases Containing material

• raw material

Rhymes for material

• arterial
• bacterial
• ethereal
• funereal
• imperial
• sidereal
• venereal
• antibacterial
• biomaterial
• mycobacterial
• cereal
• virial

Kids Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: relating to or consisting of matter : physical

the material world

material comforts

2

a

: important sense 1

food is material to health

b

: relevant

is that information material to the problem?

3

: physical rather than spiritual or intellectual

material needs

materiality

-ˌtir-ē-ˈal-ət-ē

noun

materially

-ˈtir-ē-ə-lē 

adverb

material

2 of 2 noun

1

: the elements or substance of which something is made or can be made

building materials

2

: equipment and supplies for doing or making something

writing materials

Legal Definition

material

1 of 2 adjective

ma·​te·​ri·​al mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: of, relating to, or consisting of physical matter

2

: being of real importance or consequence

3

: being an essential component

the material terms of the contract

4

: being relevant to a subject under consideration

specifically : being such as would affect or be taken into consideration by a reasonable person in acting or making a decision see also insider trading

materiality

mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

materially adverb

material

2 of 2 noun

: something used for or made the object of consideration or study

specifically : evidence see also brady material