matter
/'mætə/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- Physical substance: The material that makes up the physical universe; anything that has mass and occupies space.
- A subject, situation, or affair: A topic, issue, or event that is being considered, discussed, or dealt with.
- Written material: The content or substance of a book, speech, or other text.
- A problem or difficulty: Used in phrases like "What's the matter?" to ask about a trouble or concern.
- Importance or consequence: Significance (often used in negative constructions like "no matter").
Verb:
- To be of importance: To be significant or have relevance.
Examples of Usage
- Noun (Physical substance):
- Scientists study the properties of matter.
- All physical objects are composed of matter.
- Noun (A subject or affair):
- We need to discuss an important matter.
- That is a personal matter.
- Noun (Written material):
- The library has a large collection of printed matter.
- Noun (A problem):
- What is the matter with the computer?
- Noun (Importance):
- It's of no matter to me.
- Verb:
- Your opinion matters to me.
- It doesn't matter if we are late.
Advanced Usage
- "As a matter of fact": Used to emphasize that a statement is true, often to correct a previous idea.
- I'm not tired; as a matter of fact, I'm full of energy.
- "For that matter": Used to add a related point or to say that something is also true in another situation.
- He doesn't like jazz, or any loud music for that matter.
- "A matter of": Used to indicate something related to or involving a particular thing, often an approximation.
- It's only a matter of time before they find out.
- The repair will cost a matter of a few dollars.
Variants and Related Words
- Matter-of-fact (adj): Concerned with facts, not imagination or emotion; straightforward.
- She gave a matter-of-fact account of the accident.
- Subject matter (n): The topic dealt with or the subject represented in a piece of writing or discussion.
- The subject matter of the lecture was quantum physics.
Synonyms
- Noun (substance): Material, stuff, substance.
- Noun (affair): Issue, topic, subject, business, concern.
- Verb: Count, be important, signify.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
- No matter: Regardless of. Used to say that something is not important or does not affect the situation.
- No matter what happens, I will support you.
- Call me anytime, no matter the hour.
Related Idioms
- Mind over matter: The use of willpower to overcome physical problems or difficulties.
- Finishing the marathon was a case of mind over matter.
- What's the matter?: What is wrong? (Used to ask about a problem.)
- You look upset. What's the matter?
- The crux of the matter: The most important or central part of an issue.
- We can discuss details later, but first, let's address the crux of the matter.
Noun
- written works (especially in books or magazines)
- he always took some reading matter with him on the plane
- (used with negation) having consequence
- they were friends and it was no matter who won the games
- a problem
- is anything the matter?
- that which has mass and occupies space
- physicists study both the nature of matter and the forces which govern it
- some situation or event that is thought about
- he kept drifting off the topic
- he had been thinking about the subject for several years
- it is a matter for the police
- a vaguely specified concern
- several matters to attend to
- it is none of your affair
- things are going well
Verb
- have weight; have import, carry weight
- It does not matter much