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 company expected a steady ramp in output through the first half of the year with an acceleration in the second half, but the improvement did not materialize at the pace needed to meet its prior financial outlook. — Jeff Marks, CNBC, 6 Aug. 2026

Oil prices plunged on the news, reflecting expectations of a lasting arrangement that has failed to materialize several times. — semafor.com, 5 Aug. 2026

So far in training camp, though, that has yet to materialize. — Luca Evans, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026

There was some reported interest by the Wizards at some point, but nothing has materialized. — Zach Harper, New York Times, 4 Aug. 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