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

• 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

One source of funding that could make up the difference—profit from the plant—is, by PG&E projections, unlikely to materialize. —Calmatters, Oc Register, 12 Aug. 2025

Trump has imposed a patchwork of tariffs, in addition to delays and threats yet to materialize. —David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2025

When the funds never materialized – and Anderson and Turner turned non-responsive – the victims filed lawsuits or turned to law enforcement. —Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025

The move, with all the intricacies to contend with, never materialized. —Henry Flynn, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 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