verb
materialize
muh-TIH-ree-uh-lyz
verb
1
To become real or actually happen, especially after being planned or hoped for.
"The promised pay rise never materialized."
"Their plans to move abroad finally materialized last spring."
2
To suddenly appear, as if out of nowhere.
"A figure materialized out of the fog at the end of the street."
How to Use Materialize
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo turn from an idea or possibility into an actual, real thing — or to suddenly appear.
UK vs US
Spelled "materialise" in British English.
Common pairings
plans failed to materialize
fears materialized
materialize out of thin air
Word Forms
materialized past tense, materializes singular
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Etymology
Formed from material plus the verb-forming suffix -ize.