Search Dictionary
Definition of material

material

/məˈtɪr.i.əl/
ma · te · ri · al
Adverb:materially
•
Plural:materials
JUMP TO:

material Lexical Profile

material Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The physical substance or matter from which a thing is made or can be manufactured.

Example

"The engineers tested a new composite material designed to make aircraft wings lighter and stronger."

2

Information, facts, or ideas used in researching, writing, or creating a work such as a book, presentation, or performance.

Example

"She spent months gathering archival material for her upcoming historical novel."

3

Cloth or fabric used for making garments, upholstery, or coverings.

Example

"He bought three yards of waterproof material to repair the camping tent."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for material

Word Nuance & Usage

In legal and accounting contexts, 'material' takes on a specialized meaning denoting information or evidence that is significant enough to influence a decision, outcome, or financial assessment.

• Rhymes for material

• Nearby Words

matchup
matchwood
mate
material
materialism
materialist
materialistic

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Middle English, via Late Latin 'materialis' meaning 'belonging to matter', from Latin 'materia' meaning 'matter, stuff, or wood'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Material. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/material
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.