matter
MA-tuh
Matter (noun) means Physical substance in general — anything that has mass and takes up space. Example: “Scientists study how matter behaves at extremely low temperatures.”
noun
1
Physical substance in general — anything that has mass and takes up space.
"Scientists study how matter behaves at extremely low temperatures."
"Solid, liquid, and gas are all different states of matter."
"Everything around us, from rocks to air, is made of matter."
2
A subject, situation, or affair, especially one that needs attention or is causing concern.
"We need to discuss a private matter after the meeting."
"It's a matter of urgency — the shipment has to leave tonight."
"The matter was settled quickly once both sides had talked it through."
3
An approximate amount or extent of something.
"The repair took a matter of minutes."
"He arrived within a matter of hours after we called."
"It was a matter of weeks before the garden recovered."
verb
1
To be important or significant.
"Your opinion really matters to us."
"It doesn't matter what time you arrive, just come."
"It does not matter if you make mistakes while you are learning."
How to use matter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the physical stuff everything is made of, or a topic/issue that needs dealing with, or (as a verb) to be important.
Common mistake
"No matter" means "regardless" (no matter what happens), while "it matters" means "it is important" — don't mix the two structures up.
Common pairings
a matter of time
no matter what
matter to someone
as a matter of fact
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Word forms
- Plural
- matters
- Third person singular
- matters
- Past tense
- mattered
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Scientists study how _____ behaves at extremely low temperatures.
Etymology
From Old French matiere, going back to Latin materia ("wood, substance"), itself related to mater ("mother") — the idea being of raw material as a source, the way a tree trunk is the "mother" of timber.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for matter
See all rhymes for matter →Frequently asked questions
What does “matter” mean?
The word “matter” means physical substance in general — anything that has mass and takes up space. In plain terms, either the physical stuff everything is made of, or a topic/issue that needs dealing with, or (as a verb) to be important.
How do you pronounce “matter”?
“Matter” is pronounced MA-tuh (/ˈmætɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “matter” in a sentence?
Here is “matter” used in a sentence: “Scientists study how matter behaves at extremely low temperatures.”
What is another word for “matter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “matter” include material, stuff, substance and hyle.
What part of speech is “matter”?
Depending on how it is used, “matter” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “matter” come from?
The word “matter” comes from Latin. From Old French matiere, going back to Latin materia ("wood, substance"), itself related to mater ("mother") — the idea being of raw material as a source, the way a tree trunk is the "mother" of timber.
Is “matter” a common word?
“Matter” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “matter” have?
“Matter” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: physical substance in general — anything that has mass and takes up space.
What are the states of matter?
Matter usually exists in four states: solid, where particles are locked in a fixed shape; liquid, which flows and takes the shape of its container; gas, which spreads to fill any space; and plasma, a very high-energy state found in stars and lightning. Matter can change between these states when heated or cooled.
What is the difference between matter and energy?
Matter is physical substance, anything with mass that occupies space, like water, air, or rock. Energy is not a substance but the capacity to do work or cause change, such as heat, light, or motion. The two are deeply linked, since matter can be converted to energy, but they are distinct concepts.
What is an example of matter?
Almost everything physical is matter: a glass of water, the air in a room, a wooden table, your own body. Each has mass and takes up space, which is the test for matter. Things that are not matter include light, heat, and sound, because they are forms of energy rather than substance.
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