materialize

verb

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz 

materialized; materializing

transitive verb

1

a

: to make material : objectify

b

: to cause to appear in bodily form

materialize the spirits of the dead

2

: to cause to be materialistic

intransitive verb

1

: to assume bodily form

2

a

: to appear especially suddenly

b

: to come into existence

materializer noun

Synonyms

• actualize
• appear
• arise
• begin
• break
• commence
• dawn
• engender
• form
• originate
• set in
• spring
• start

Examples of materialize in a Sentence

A waiter suddenly materialized beside our table.

Rain clouds materialized on the horizon.

Recent Examples on the Web

In the best-case scenario from skeptics and cautious optimists, however, the promise of AI will take much longer to materialize than the current investment frenzy suggests. —Kia Kokalitcheva, Axios, 12 July 2024

These efforts would be particularly significant if a regional maritime security agreement that included Tehran failed to materialize. —Hamidreza Azizi, Foreign Affairs, 10 July 2024

The film itself materialized when Davis went to California as a young filmmaker to move in with Mitchell, her aunt. —Okla Jones, Essence, 9 July 2024

That film added a further $174 million to the series' ticket-sale total, and many involved have since spoken about a potential third film, though nothing concrete has materialized to date. —EW.com, 9 July 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Kids Definition

materialize

verb

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz 

materialized; materializing

1

: to give material form and substance to

2

: to assume or cause to assume bodily form

a ghost materialized out of nowhere

3

a

: to come into existence

a promise that never materialized

b

: to appear suddenly