material

material is on the Basic English 850 List.

match - material - mass

Material is on the Academic Vocabulary List.

Pronunciation

• (US) IPA ^(key): /məˈtɪri.əl/
• (UK) IPA ^(key): /məˈtɪərɪəl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: ma‧te‧ri‧al

Noun

Singular material

Plural materials

1. (countable & uncountable) Material is the things or ideas that are used in making or doing something.
   • Synonyms: fabric, ingredients, matter, substance and stuff

   The raw materials for the goods are mostly imported from Canada.

   After the earthquake, it took a long time to rebuild because the building materials were often unavailable.

   He spent a year researching and gathering material before writing the book.

Adjective

Positive material

Comparative more material

Superlative most material

1. (usually before a noun) Material things are things in the real world, often money.
   • Synonyms: physical and significant
   • Antonym: spiritual
2. (formal) If something is material, it is big and important.