materiality

noun

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​i·​ty mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē 

plural materialities

1

: the quality or state of being material

2

: something that is material

Synonyms of materiality

• case
• reality
• fact

Examples of materiality in a Sentence

preferred a single materiality to a slew of hypotheticals

the materiality of that fact is not in dispute

Recent Examples on the Web

Charleston, alongside Felix, writes in a Black diasporic tradition that uses the abstract and figurative to name, address, and illuminate the materiality of Black life in the wake of chattel slavery. —Literary Hub, 7 Apr. 2026

The abstract painter explores materiality and expression through studies of color and material on unprimed canvases. —Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 1 Apr. 2026

The latter is a wonderful building with an extraordinarily beautiful materiality, inside and out, and in my opinion is his most perfect and greatest achievement. —Rem Koolhaas, Artforum, 26 Mar. 2026

The materiality, in combination with the pragmatic storage solutions, recalls the logic of boat design, where every inch is studied and nothing is left to chance. —Ludovica Stevan, Architectural Digest, 22 Mar. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for materiality

• bisexuality
• collegiality
• conditionality
• congeniality
• conventionality
• conviviality
• dimensionality
• directionality
• emotionality
• essentiality
• eventuality
• grammaticality