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

For whatever reason, however, regular nonconference competition between the schools never materialized following that barrage of entertaining games. —Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 23 Nov. 2025

But this renaissance has yet to materialize and certain data suggests that the long-term decline may have hastened under his watch. —Hugh Cameron, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 Nov. 2025

Fear of Border Patrol The high absences may be the first signs of many teachers’ and advocates’ fears materializing. —Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 18 Nov. 2025

First, the midterm wave didn’t materialize, and then a decisive win for their party in a presidential contest produced no downballot benefits for them. —Chris Stirewalt, The Hill, 18 Nov. 2025

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