matter
Pluralmatters
Verbmatters, mattering, mattered
Pluralmatters
Formsmatters, mattering, mattered
- 1A subject, situation, or problem that someone thinks about or deals with, such as a legal case.
We need to talk about this matter very soon.
Losing the keys was a small matter, easily fixed.
UsageLearn these phrases: as a matter of fact (really) and to make matters worse.
Similarissue, affair, question, subject, concern
Note
- 2To be important.
Like one vote that can decide a close election.
Your opinion really does matter to me.
Small choices can matter more than you think.
UsageSay it matters to me. Say it doesn't matter when someone says sorry and you are not upset.
Similarcount
- 3What is wrong or causing trouble, used after the, often when you ask someone what is wrong.
You look upset. What's the matter?
Something is the matter with the car, because it won't start.
UsageAsk what's the matter? Add with for a person or thing. What's the matter with you? can sound angry.
- 4
- 5
- 6An amount or length of something that is only rough or approximate.
The whole trip took only a matter of minutes.
We were just a matter of steps from the door.
UsageSay a matter of minutes to mean only a few minutes.
Similarquestion
Note
Less common meanings
- 7Words and pictures that are printed in books or magazines.
Like all the words and pictures packed into a newspaper.
This magazine has plenty of reading matter for the train ride.
The last pages of the magazine are full of advertising matter.
UsageMostly in phrases like reading matter and printed matter.
Similarcopy, text, material, content
Note
- 8The importance or seriousness of something.
Don't worry about the broken cup. It's no matter.
I left my pen at home, but no matter. I can borrow one.
UsageUsed in phrases like no matter and it's no matter. Otherwise say importance.
Similarimportance, significance, consequence, moment, import
Oppositeinsignificance, unimportance
Note
- 9The most important part or true core of something.
He is the matter of virtue.
1611, Ben Jonson, OberonHere, matter means the true core or essence of something.Note
- 10
- 11In Aristotle's thinking, the stuff a thing is made from, which can take on a form, as bronze becomes a statue.
Like wet clay before anyone shapes it into a pot.
Aristotle taught that matter takes on shape to become a real thing.
Without form, matter is only raw possibility.
Oppositeform
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- 12
- 13The cause or reason behind something bad or upsetting.
And this is the matter why interpreters upon that passage in Hosea will not consent it to be a true story, that the prophet took a harlot to wife.
1643, J[ohn] M[ilton], The Doctrine and Discipline of DivorceHere, matter means the cause or reason for something troubling.Note
- 14To fill with pus, the way an infected sore does.
Each slight sore mattereth.
a. 1587, Philip Sidney, The Countesse of Pembrokes Arcadia [The New Arcadia]Here, mattereth means fills with pus, like an infected sore.Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
It comes from Latin materia, meaning 'wood', which came from mater, meaning 'mother'. It reached English through Old French and Anglo-Norman.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts
- English matter derives from Latin materia, meaning 'wood'. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin materia derives from mater, meaning 'mother'. en.wiktionary.org
- The word reached English through Old French and Anglo-Norman. en.wiktionary.org