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

Sadly, at the time of writing, that special someone has yet to materialize. —Jack Beresford, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Nov. 2025

Remember how in 2023 when swarms of these surly, entitled freeloaders suddenly materialized – in Terminal E, of all places. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Nov. 2025

Then, naturally, the naysayers materialized. —Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 26 Nov. 2025

But with expectations surrounding other rate cuts unknown and the potential for additional buyers to flood the market when and if those rate cuts ultimately materialize, there's a compelling case to be made for acting now. —Matt Richardson, CBS News, 25 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