Synonyms of material

material 1 of 2

noun

1

as in potential

the basic elements from which something can be developed

she's clearly movie star material

Synonyms & Similar Words

• potential
• substance
• making
• potentiality
• timber
• stuff
• raw material
• possibility
• metal
• matter

2

as in equipment

usually materials plural items needed for the performance of a task or activity

I have all the materials to build the mobile

Synonyms & Similar Words

• equipment
• hardware
• stuff
• gear
• materiel
• resources
• tools
• apparatus
• kit
• paraphernalia
• tackle
• matériel
• accouterments
• facilities
• machinery
• accoutrements
• accessories
• fittings
• outfit
• battery
• baggage
• attachments
• belongings
• assets
• appurtenances
• apparel
• attire
• trappings
• appliances
• instruments
• impedimenta
• arsenal
• armory
• raiment
• habiliments
• armamentarium

material

2 of 2

adjective

mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

as in physical

relating to or composed of matter

there's no material evidence, such as a dead body, that a murder has been committed

Synonyms & Similar Words

• physical
• concrete
• substantial
• tangible
• visible
• solid
• objective
• apparent
• corporeal
• noticeable
• embodied
• appreciable
• bodily
• observable
• corporal
• carnal
• discernible
• perceptible
• detectable
• sensible
• phenomenal
• massive
• heavy
• discernable
• bulky
• palpable
• fleshly
• touchable
• weighty
• seeable
• ponderous
• hefty

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• immaterial
• nonmaterial
• nonphysical
• incorporeal
• formless
• disembodied
• insubstantial
• invisible
• intangible
• unsubstantial
• discarnate
• ethereal
• bodiless
• thin
• spiritual
• imperceptible
• impalpable
• tenuous
• metaphysical
• unbodied
• unnoticeable
• diaphanous
• vaporous
• airy
• insensible
• wispish
• gossamery

2

as in important

having great meaning or lasting effect

there's no material difference between the two designs for the skyscraper: one's as bad as the other

Synonyms & Similar Words

• important
• major
• significant
• historic
• big
• substantial
• meaningful
• tectonic
• much
• exceptional
• monumental
• distinguished
• consequential
• momentous
• weighty
• eventful
• remarkable
• outstanding
• pivotal
• valuable
• strategic
• earthshaking
• earth-shattering
• seminal
• distinctive
• noteworthy
• decisive
• serious
• notable
• great
• worthy
• crucial
• prominent
• impressive
• worthwhile
• fatal
• earnest
• critical
• key
• essential
• sincere
• grave
• famous
• illustrious
• heavy
• eminent
• fateful
• central
• prestigious
• vital
• all-important
• noble
• renowned
• notorious
• preeminent

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• small
• little
• minor
• unimportant
• trivial
• negligible
• insignificant
• inconsequential
• slight
• trifling
• inconsiderable
• worthless
• petty
• unknown
• obscure
• paltry
• anonymous
• nameless
• uncelebrated

3

as in temporal

having to do with life on earth especially as opposed to that in heaven

people who worry more about material concerns than about spiritual ones

Synonyms & Similar Words

• temporal
• mundane
• physical
• animal
• terrestrial
• bodily
• earthly
• worldly
• sublunary
• corporeal
• earthbound
• daily
• corporal
• carnal
• terrene
• fleshly
• earthborn
• diurnal
• unspiritual
• anthropical
• anthropocentric
• anthropic

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• celestial
• heavenly
• spiritual
• unearthly
• metaphysical
• religious
• divine
• sacred
• devotional
• nontemporal
• unworldly
• extraterrestrial
• utopian
• supernal
• empyrean
• empyreal
• transcendental
• supernatural
• transcendent
• Elysian
• ethereal

4

as in relevant

having to do with the matter at hand

that information, while fascinating, is not material to our discussion

Synonyms & Similar Words

• relevant
• applicable
• pertinent
• relative
• to the point
• appropriate
• important
• useful
• meaningful
• pointed
• suitable
• germane
• fitting
• apposite
• apropos
• allowable
• significant
• apt
• admissible
• fit
• sensible

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• immaterial
• irrelevant
• extraneous
• pointless
• little
• inapplicable
• minor
• unimportant
• trivial
• negligible
• insignificant
• frivolous
• impertinent
• slight
• inconsequential
• trifling
• useless
• inapposite
• meaningless
• irrelative
• inappropriate
• unsuitable
• purposeless
• senseless
• inadmissible
• inapt

5

as in bodily

of or relating to the human body

material needs such as food and warmth

Synonyms & Similar Words

• physical
• bodily
• animal
• corporeal
• anatomic
• physiological
• physiologic
• somatic
• anatomical
• corporal
• carnal
• sensual
• fleshly
• sensuous
• hand-to-hand

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• psychological
• mental
• intellectual
• inner
• spiritual
• cerebral
• nonmaterial
• immaterial
• psychologic
• nonphysical
• insubstantial
• metaphysical
• psychical
• psychic
• incorporeal
• ethereal
• bodiless

Synonym Chooser

How is the word material different from other adjectives like it?

Some common synonyms of material are applicable, apposite, apropos, germane, pertinent, and relevant. While all these words mean "relating to or bearing upon the matter in hand," material implies so close a relationship that it cannot be dispensed with without serious alteration of the case.

facts material to the investigation

When is it sensible to use applicable instead of material?

The synonyms applicable and material are sometimes interchangeable, but applicable suggests the fitness of bringing a general rule or principle to bear upon a particular case.

the rule is not applicable in this case

When might apposite be a better fit than material?

In some situations, the words apposite and material are roughly equivalent. However, apposite suggests a felicitous relevance.

add an apposite quotation to the definition

When is apropos a more appropriate choice than material?

Although the words apropos and material have much in common, apropos suggests being both relevant and opportune.

the quip was apropos

When could germane be used to replace material?

While in some cases nearly identical to material, germane may additionally imply a fitness for or appropriateness to the situation or occasion.

a point not germane to the discussion

When can pertinent be used instead of material?

The words pertinent and material can be used in similar contexts, but pertinent stresses a clear and decisive relevance.

a pertinent observation

Where would relevant be a reasonable alternative to material?

The meanings of relevant and material largely overlap; however, relevant implies a traceable, significant, logical connection.

found material relevant to her case

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of material

Noun

When cleaning the outside of sneakers made of mixed materials, opt for spot cleaning to preserve the integrity of the material. —Maryal Miller Carter, USA Today, 7 June 2025

Linen Dress Most Europeans will tell you that linen is the most important material to travel with during the summer, so this 100-percent European linen dress is a must-have for Como. —Michelle Tchea, Travel + Leisure, 7 June 2025

Adjective

Drawing inspiration from Tabassum’s native Bangladesh—from its culture of park-going to the arched garden canopies that filter soft daylight through green foliage—the structure shifts gently between interior and exterior, between material tactility and openness, light and shadow, height and volume. —Nargess Banks, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025

But Lijn’s poem machines dissolve the material words printed on them; thus meaning also vanishes. —Marina Isgro, Artforum, 1 June 2025

Phrases Containing material

• raw material