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 of materialize

• begin
• originate
• arise
• start
• appear
• commence
• be
• emerge

Examples of materialize in a Sentence

A waiter suddenly materialized beside our table.

Rain clouds materialized on the horizon.

Recent Examples on the Web

Though Kuminga, 23, showed flashes of becoming the franchise building block the team envisioned him as, that potential never materialized into consistent success after being part of the team that won the 2022 title as a rookie. —Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 15 Jan. 2026

His deal with the Sabres has an opt-out if that opportunity materializes. —Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2026

Comprehensive reforms have yet to materialize, however. —Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 15 Jan. 2026

Bank stocks have been under pressure this week as the sector came into earnings hot, with shares priced for perfection that did not materialize. —Jim Cramer, CNBC, 15 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for materialize

• contextualize
• industrialize
• materialise
• memorialize
• microenterprise
• overemphasize
• particularize
• revolutionise
• revolutionize
• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise

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