material
muh-TEER-ree-uhl
Material (noun) means a substance — such as wood, metal, plastic, or fabric — that something is made from. Example: “Bamboo is a strong, light material that is often used to make furniture.”
noun
1
A substance — such as wood, metal, plastic, or fabric — that something is made from.
"Bamboo is a strong, light material that is often used to make furniture."
"The kitchen worktop is made from a scratch-resistant material."
"Builders are struggling to source enough material for the new houses."
2
Fabric or cloth, especially before it is made into clothing or furnishings.
"The shop sells cotton material by the metre, in plain colours and bright prints."
"My aunt chose a soft, thick material to cover the old sofa."
"She bought three metres of blue material to make curtains."
3
Information, ideas, or content that can be shaped into something finished, such as a book, report, or performance.
"The author collected plenty of material for her book by interviewing local farmers."
"Our teacher has enough material from this term to write a whole new course."
"The comedian tried out some new material at the small club before her tour."
adj
1
Relating to physical matter or objects, rather than ideas or spirit.
"Philosophers have long argued about whether the material world is all that exists."
"Monks give up material possessions so that they can focus on their prayers."
"He was more interested in material comforts than in spiritual matters."
2
Important enough to matter or make a difference; significant.
"The engineer found a material change in the soil that could affect the whole building."
"Small spelling mistakes are not material, but a wrong date on the contract is."
"The lawyer argued that the missing document was not material to the case."
How to use material
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a physical substance something is made of, or, as an adjective, something that genuinely matters or affects the outcome.
Common mistake
In legal or formal writing, "material" (adjective) means "important/relevant," not "physical" — a "material fact" is one that actually affects a decision.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
raw material
building material
material fact
source material
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Word forms
- Plural
- materials
- Third person singular
- materials
- Past tense
- materialed, materialled
- Comparative
- more material
- Superlative
- most material
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Bamboo is a strong, light _____ that is often used to make furniture.
Etymology
From Latin māteria, "wood, substance, matter," itself from māter, "mother" — the idea of raw matter as the "mother" from which things are made.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for material
See all rhymes for material →Frequently asked questions
What does “material” mean?
The word “material” means a substance — such as wood, metal, plastic, or fabric — that something is made from. In plain terms, either a physical substance something is made of, or, as an adjective, something that genuinely matters or affects the outcome.
How do you pronounce “material”?
“Material” is pronounced muh-TEER-ree-uhl (/məˈtɪɹ.i.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “material” in a sentence?
Here is “material” used in a sentence: “The kitchen worktop is made from a scratch-resistant material.”
What part of speech is “material”?
Depending on how it is used, “material” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “material” come from?
The word “material” comes from Latin. From Latin māteria, "wood, substance, matter," itself from māter, "mother" — the idea of raw matter as the "mother" from which things are made.
Is “material” a common word?
“Material” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “material” have?
“Material” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a substance — such as wood, metal, plastic, or fabric — that something is made from.
What is the difference between material and fabric?
Fabric is one specific kind of material: cloth made by weaving or knitting fibres, used for clothing and furnishings. Material is the far broader term, covering any substance something is made from, including wood, metal, plastic and glass. In casual British English, though, 'material' often means fabric.
What is the difference between material and matter?
Matter is the scientific term for anything that has mass and takes up space, the stuff the physical universe is made of. Material is more practical, referring to a substance chosen and used to make something. All materials are matter, but we only call matter a 'material' once it is put to use.
What are the main types of materials?
Materials are often grouped as metals, polymers or plastics, ceramics and glass, and composites, which blend two or more together. Another common split is natural materials such as wood, cotton and stone, versus synthetic ones like nylon and acrylic that are manufactured through chemical processes.
What is an example of a material?
Everyday examples include wood, metal, plastic, glass, fabric, concrete, rubber and paper. A single object often combines several: a chair might use wood for the frame, foam and fabric for the seat, and metal screws to hold it together. Each is a material chosen for its properties.
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