material

ma|te|ri|al¹ W1S1 [məˈtıəriəl US -ˈtır-] n

1.) [U and C]

cloth used for making clothes, curtains etc

= ↑fabric

▪ curtain material

▪ scraps of material

▪ a cape made of a soft material

2.) [U and C]

a solid substance such as wood, plastic, or metal

▪ materials like wood or stone

organic/plant material

▪ Animals depend on plant material for food.

▪ harmful radioactive material

▪ a paper company which imports raw materials (=substances which have not been treated) from North America.

▪ recycled material

3.) [U] also materials [plural]

the things that are used for making or doing something

reading/writing etc material(s)

▪ Videos often make good teaching material.

▪ a supply of building materials

▪ artists' materials

4.) [U]

information or ideas used in books, films etc

▪ His act contains a lot of new material.

material for

▪ Anita is collecting material for a novel.

▪ the raw material (=information that has not been carefully examined) for an article

5.) officer/executive etc material

someone who is good enough for a particular job or position

▪ He's a good soldier, but not really officer material.

material ²

material² W3 adj [usually before noun]

[Date: 1300-1400; : Late Latin; Origin: materialis, from Latin materia; MATTER¹]

1.) relating to your money, possessions, living conditions etc, rather than the needs of your mind or soul

≠ ↑spiritual

material goods/possessions/wealth etc

▪ The spiritual life is more important than material possessions.

▪ a society that places high importance on material rewards

2.) relating to the real world and physical objects, rather than religious or ↑spiritual things

▪ According to some, the material world is all that exists.

3.) law important and needing to be considered when making a decision

▪ material evidence

material to

▪ facts material to the investigation

4.) formal important and having a noticeable effect

▪ material changes to the schedule

→↑materially