noun

matter

MA-tuh

noun

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."

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."

An approximate amount or extent of something.

"The repair took a matter of minutes."

verb

To be important or significant.

"Your opinion really matters to us."

"It doesn't matter what time you arrive, just come."

How to Use Matter

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word Forms

mattered past tense, matters plural, Matters plural, matters singular

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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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material stuff substance hyle

Related Words

nonsense substance things trash stuff gist material thingy

Rhymes for matter

batter hatter latter patter scatter shatter flatter chatter clatter spatter platter squatter

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