material

/mə'tiəriəl/

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The word "material" can be used both as an adjective and a noun, and it has a few different meanings depending on the context.

As an Adjective:

1. Physical Substance: When we describe something as "material," we mean it has a physical form. For example, "wood is a material used to make furniture." Here, "material" refers to the physical substance that makes up the furniture.

2. Important or Relevant: "Material" can also mean something that is important or relevant to a situation, especially in legal contexts. For example, "The witness provided material evidence in the trial," meaning the evidence was important for the case.

3. Worldly vs. Spiritual: It can refer to things related to the physical world (material possessions, such as money and goods) rather than spiritual or intellectual matters. For example, "She focused on her material wealth instead of her personal growth."

As a Noun:

1. Resources for Making Things: As a noun, "material" can refer to items or substances needed to create something, like "writing materials" (paper, pens, etc.) or "fabric material" (cloth used for sewing).

2. Suitable Qualities: It can also describe a person who has the qualities needed for a specific role. For example, "He is management material," meaning he has the qualities needed to be a good manager.

3. Data or Information: "Material" can refer to information that can be used to create something, like research material for a project.

Examples:

• Adjective: "The architect chose eco-friendly materials for the new building."
• Noun: "I need some material to write my report."

Advanced Usage:

In more advanced contexts, "material" can be used in philosophical discussions about the nature of reality versus ideas. For example, "The material world is distinct from the realm of ideas."

Word Variants:

• Materialism: The belief that only physical matter is real and important.
• Materialist: A person who values material possessions over spiritual or intellectual pursuits.

Different Meanings:

• In legal contexts, "material facts" are those that can influence the outcome of a case.
• In art or design, "material" can refer to texture and style, such as "The artist chose a rough material for the sculpture."

Synonyms:

• Physical: tangible, substantial
• Relevant: significant, essential
• Resources: supplies, ingredients

Idioms:

• "Material gains": Refers to benefits in terms of wealth or possessions.
• "Material witness": A witness who has information that is important to a case.

Phrasal Verbs:

There are not many common phrasal verbs directly related to "material," but you might hear phrases like "materialize" (to become real or actual) in discussions about ideas or plans coming to fruition.

Academic

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

Synonyms

• substantial
• real
• corporeal
• fabric
• cloth
• textile
• stuff