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

Practical, yet effortlessly chic this cotton and silk jacket has the sporty look of an anorak, but the materiality to work with dressy looks. —Aemilia Madden, Vogue, 18 June 2026

Not separate, but self-contained, with their own rhythm of light, materiality, and silence. —Mary Holland, Architectural Digest, 16 June 2026

Tillmans frequently displays his work tacked or taped directly to the gallery wall, interspersed with postcards, ink-jet prints, and magazine clippings, calling into question typical hierarchies of scale and subject matter and pointing out the photos’ materiality. —News Desk, Artforum, 26 May 2026

Elsewhere in the collection, creamy pearls peep out between layers of polished, single-piece cast silver in bangles and earrings; while luminous spheres are paired with onyx cubes in an exploration of geometry and contrasting materiality. —Kate Matthams, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for materiality

• abnormality
• cardinality
• commonality
• communality
• cordiality
• corporeality
• criminality
• criticality
• functionality
• generality
• geniality
• hospitality