material

pronunciation

How to pronounce material in British English: UK [məˈtɪəriəl] word uk audio image

How to pronounce material in American English: US [məˈtɪriəl] word us audio image

Noun:

the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object
information (data or ideas or observations) that can be used or reworked into a finished form
things needed for doing or making something
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers
a person judged suitable for admission or employment
Adjective:

concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests
derived from or composed of matter
directly relevant to a matter especially a law case
concerned with or affecting physical as distinct from intellectual or psychological well-being
having material or physical form or substance
having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary

Word Origin

material: material: [14] Etymologically, material is simply a derivative of matter. It comes via Old French materiel from late Latin māteriālis, a derivative of Latin māteria ‘matter’ (source of English matter). The modern French form of the word was reborrowed as materiel ‘military equipment’ [19].=> material, matter

material (adj.): mid-14c., "real, ordinary; earthly, drawn from the material world;" a term in scholastic philosophy and theology, from Old French material, materiel (14c.) and directly from Late Latin materialis (adj.) "of or belonging to matter," from Latin materia "matter, stuff, wood, timber" (see matter). From late 14c. as "made of matter, having material existence; material, physical, substantial;" from late 15c. as "important, relevant."

material (n.): late 14c., "substance, matter from which a thing is made," from material (adj.).

adj.