Pronunciation

/ˈmætərɪəl/

Definitions

• Noun: (n) 1. Substance or matter from which something can be made or composed; stuff. E.g., “The chair was made of solid wood material.” 2. Information, facts, or ideas that form the basis of a subject, discussion, or study. E.g., “The course covered a lot of material on environmental science.” 3. Goods, supplies, or resources needed for a particular purpose or activity. E.g., “Building materials were delivered to the construction site.” 4. (in the arts) The content or substance of a creative work. E.g., “The film’s raw and powerful material explores themes of love and loss.”

• Adjective: (adj) Relating to physical substances or the practical aspects of something rather than spiritual or intellectual matters. E.g., “Material possessions don’t guarantee happiness.”

Phrases

• “Material goods”: tangible items of economic value.
• “Material evidence”: physical proof or documentation that supports a claim or argument.
• “Materialistic”: having a strong desire for material wealth or possessions.

Example Sentences

• Noun: “Scientists analyzed the chemical composition of the material to determine its origin.”
• Adjective: “She became less materialistic after realizing the importance of experiences over things.”

Synonyms

• Stuff
• Substance
• Matter
• Contents
• Resources
• Supplies (for noun usage)
• Physical (for adjective usage)
• Tangible
• Substantial (in some contexts)