matter
pronunciation
How to pronounce matter in British English:
UK [ˈmætə(r)]
How to pronounce matter in American English:
US [ˈmætər]
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- Noun:
- that which has mass and occupies space
- a vaguely specified concern
- some situation or event that is thought about
- a problem
- (used with negation) having consequence
- written works (especially in books or magazines)
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- Verb:
- have weight; have import, carry weight
Word Origin
- matter
- matter: [14] Matter comes via Anglo-Norman matere from Latin māteria ‘matter’. This was originally applied to the ‘hard inner wood of a tree’, and etymologically denoted the ‘matrix’ or ‘mother’ from which the tree’s new growth came (it was a derivative of Latin māter ‘mother’). The verbal use of matter dates from the late 16th century. Material originated as a derivative of Latin māteria.=> material, mother
- matter (n.)
- c. 1200, materie, "subject of thought, speech, or expression," from Anglo-French matere, Old French matere "subject, theme, topic; substance, content, material; character, education" (12c., Modern French matière), from Latin materia "substance from which something is made," also "hard inner wood of a tree" (source also of Portuguese madeira "wood"), from mater "origin, source, mother" (see mother (n.1)). Or, on another theory, it represents *dmateria, from PIE root *dem-/*dom- (source of Latin domus "house," English timber). With sense development in Latin influenced by Greek hyle, of which it was the equivalent in philosophy. Meaning "physical substance generally, matter, material" is early 14c.; that of "substance of which some specific object is made or consists of" is attested from late 14c. That of "piece of business, affair, activity, situation, circumstance" is from late 14c. From mid-14c. as "subject of a literary work, content of what is written, main theme." Also in Middle English as "cause, reasons, ground; essential character; field of investigation." Matter of course "something expected" attested from 1739. For that matter attested from 1670s. What is the matter "what concerns (someone), the cause of the difficulty" is attested from mid-15c. To make no matter "be no difference to" also is mid-15c.
- matter (v.)
- "to be of importance or consequence," 1580s, from matter (n.). Related: Mattered; mattering.
Example
- 1. Please contact me to discuss this serious matter . '
- 2. Given their largeness , it may not matter .
- 3. That 's the matter up for contention .
- 4. The length of the cord , the court essentially ruled , shouldn 't matter .
- 5. There 's plenty dark matter around .