noun

material

muh-TEER-ree-uhl

noun

A substance — such as wood, metal, plastic, or fabric — that something is made from.

"The kitchen worktop is made from a scratch-resistant material."

"Builders are struggling to source enough material for the new houses."

Fabric or cloth, especially before it is made into clothing or furnishings.

"She bought three metres of blue material to make curtains."

Information, ideas, or content that can be shaped into something finished, such as a book, report, or performance.

"The comedian tried out some new material at the small club before her tour."

adj

Relating to physical matter or objects, rather than ideas or spirit.

"He was more interested in material comforts than in spiritual matters."

Important enough to matter or make a difference; significant.

"The lawyer argued that the missing document was not material to the case."

How to Use Material

Learner’s notes

In 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.

Common pairings

raw material building material material fact source material

Word Forms

more material comparative, materialed past tense, materialled past tense, materials plural, materials singular, most material superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The kitchen worktop is made from a scratch-resistant _____.

Etymology

From Latin māteria, "wood, substance, matter," itself from māter, "mother" — the idea of raw matter as the "mother" from which things are made.

Rhymes for material

dial vial trial aerial serial filial denial medial racial social burial facial

See all rhymes for material →