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

The formation of an International Stabilization Force was announced in February but has yet to materialize. — Joseph Krauss, Los Angeles Times, 10 Oct. 2026

Second is the fact that even real, materialized AI edge fades fast. — Milos Maricic, Fortune, 9 Oct. 2026

With less than four weeks until Election Day, some of the biggest six-figure checks that once routinely flowed to the Democratic National Committee haven’t materialized. — Luke Fountain, CNBC, 8 Oct. 2026

There was some thought in the summer that both players could challenge for rotation spots, but that hasn’t materialized, because the four older backups in front of them have done enough to get those opportunities. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 7 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for materialize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

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