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Definition of dematerialize

dematerialize

/diːməˈtɪr.i.ə.laɪz/
(UK: dematerialise)
de · ma · te · ri · al · ize
Adjective:dematerialized
•
Past Simple:dematerialized
•
Past Participle:dematerialized
•
Present Participle:dematerializing
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dematerialize Lexical Profile

dematerialize Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To become free of physical substance or vanish suddenly from sight, or to cause something physical to lose its material form.

Example

"In the classic science fiction series, the crew members dematerialize on the transporter pad before reappearing on the planet below."

2

To replace physical paper certificates or financial documents with electronic bookkeeping records (in finance and securities trading).

Example

"The stock exchange voted to dematerialize all remaining paper share certificates to streamline clearing and settlement."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for dematerialize

• Rhymes for dematerialize

• Nearby Words

demandingness
demarcation
demarcator
dematerialize
demean
demeaning
demeaningly

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 19th century by combining the privative prefix de- ('away from, undo') with materialize, originally emerging within spiritualist circles to describe the disappearance of paranormal apparitions before entering science fiction and financial terminology.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dematerialize. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dematerialize
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