material

Pluralmaterials

Formsmaterials

1. 1
   substancenouncountable or uncountable

   The stuff something is made from, like wood, metal, or plastic.

   Like the flour, eggs, and sugar you need before you can bake a cake.

   Builders chose a strong material for the new bridge.

   Glass is a useful material for windows because you can see through it.

   UsageCommon phrases are building materials and raw materials.

   Similarsubstance, matter, stuff

2. 2
   content to usenouncountable or uncountable

   Facts, ideas, or notes you collect to build into something finished.

   Like collecting bricks before you build a house, but the bricks are facts and ideas.

   The writer gathered material for her new book.

   He used old letters as material for the play.

   UsageSay material for a book or a story.

   Similarinformation (entry), data, content, evidence

   Note
3. 3
   noununcountable

   The parts or substance that something is made of.

   Like the threads that together make up a whole cloth.

   Memories are the material that dreams are made from.

   These small ideas became the material of his whole philosophy.

   Similarstuff, substance, elements, components, ingredients

   Note
4. 4
   clothnouncountable or uncountable

   Cloth used to make clothes, curtains, or other things.

   Like the soft cloth you cut and sew to make a shirt.

   She bought soft material to make a summer dress.

   This material is too thin for a winter coat.

   UsageSay a piece of material.

   Similarfabric, cloth, textile

5. 5
   suppliesnounusually plural

   The things and tools you need to do a job or activity.

   Like packing all your tools in a box before you start work.

   The expedition carried enough material to set up a full camp.

   Please bring your own cleaning materials, like sponges and buckets.

   UsageSay writing materials: pens and paper.

   Similarequipment, supplies, gear, implements

6. 6
   physicaladjective

   Made of or having to do with matter: real, physical things you can touch.

   Like the difference between a real apple and a picture of one in your mind.

   Everything in the material world can be touched or measured.

   Ghosts are not part of our material reality.

   Similarphysical, tangible, concrete, corporeal

   Oppositeimmaterial, abstract, intangible, spiritual

7. 7
   relevantadjective

   Important enough to change a result or decision.

   Like one extra weight that makes the scale tip to one side.

   Her answer made a material difference to the final score.

   There was no material change in the plan after the meeting.

   UsageSaid of facts that matter: a material fact.

   Similarsignificant, relevant, pertinent, important, consequential

   Oppositeimmaterial

   Note
8. 8
   worldlyadjective

   Connected with bodily needs, comfort, money, or possessions rather than thoughts or spiritual life.

   Like someone who counts their toys but never their friends.

   She wanted love and friendship, not material comforts.

   Their material values left little room for kindness.

   UsageTo criticize a person, say materialistic.

   Similarworldly, physical, earthly

   Oppositespiritual, intellectual

   Note

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