Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Having physical substance; not spiritual or imaginary: Relating to or composed of matter; existing in a form that can be perceived by the senses.
   • Directly relevant and significant: Of such importance that it could influence a decision, outcome, or judgment.
   • Concerned with physical needs and worldly possessions: Pertaining to bodily comfort, wealth, or tangible objects, as opposed to intellectual or spiritual concerns.

2. Noun:

   • The physical substance of which something is made: Any solid, liquid, or gas that has mass and occupies space.
   • Cloth or fabric: A substance, typically woven, used for making garments, curtains, etc.
   • Information or ideas for use: Facts, observations, or data that serve as the basis for work, such as writing or research.
   • Items needed for a task: Supplies or components required to do or make something.
   • A person with suitable qualities: Someone considered to have the necessary attributes for a particular role or position.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The material world is distinct from the world of ideas.
  • The witness provided material evidence for the case.
  • He was more interested in material success than spiritual growth.

• Noun:

  • Wood is a common building material.
  • She bought a beautiful silk material for her dress.
  • The historian gathered material for her new book from old letters.
  • We need to purchase art materials for the project.
  • The coach said the young athlete was Olympic material.

Advanced Usage

• "Material breach" (Legal): A serious violation of a contract that goes to its core, allowing the other party to terminate it.

  • The failure to deliver the goods was a material breach of our agreement.

• "Material fact" (Legal/Formal): A fact that is significant enough to affect a decision or judgment.

  • The investor accused the company of hiding material facts about its finances.

Variants and Related Words

• Materially (adverb): To a significant degree; substantially.

  • The new evidence materially affected the course of the investigation.

• Materialism (noun): 1. A tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than spiritual values. 2. (Philosophy) The theory that nothing exists except matter and its movements.

• Materialize (verb): To become actual fact; to appear in physical form.
  • The promised investment never materialized.

Synonyms

• Adjective (physical): Physical, tangible, corporeal, substantial.
• Adjective (relevant): Significant, pertinent, consequential, important.
• Noun (substance): Substance, matter, stuff, fabric, cloth.
• Noun (information): Data, information, facts, documentation.

Related Phrases

• Raw material: The basic material from which a product is made.

  • Iron ore is a raw material for steel.

• Reading material: Something written that is intended to be read.

  • I always bring plenty of reading material on long flights.

Related Idioms

• Material witness: A witness whose testimony is likely to be crucial to a legal case.

  • The prosecutor requested protection for the material witness.

• To be (good) ... material: To have the qualities suitable for a particular role.

  • With her leadership skills, she's management material.

Adjective

1. having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary
   • the substantial world
   • a mere dream, neither substantial nor practical
   • most ponderous and substantial things- Shakespeare
2. having material or physical form or substance
   • that which is created is of necessity corporeal and visible and tangible - Benjamin Jowett
3. concerned with or affecting physical as distinct from intellectual or psychological well-being
   • material needs
   • the moral and material welfare of all good citizens- T.Roosevelt
4. directly relevant to a matter especially a law case
   • his support made a material difference
   • evidence material to the issue at hand
   • facts likely to influence the judgment are called material facts
   • a material witness
5. derived from or composed of matter
   • the material universe
6. concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
   • material possessions
   • material wealth
   • material comforts

Noun

1. a person judged suitable for admission or employment
   • he was university material
   • she was vice-presidential material
2. things needed for doing or making something
   • writing materials
   • useful teaching materials
3. artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
   • the fabric in the curtains was light and semitransparent
   • woven cloth originated in Mesopotamia around 5000 BC
   • she measured off enough material for a dress
4. information (data or ideas or observations) that can be used or reworked into a finished form
   • the archives provided rich material for a definitive biography
5. the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
   • coal is a hard black material
   • wheat is the stuff they use to make bread