1 ma·te·ri·al
Pronounced:
/məˈtirijəl/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural ma·te·ri·alsMeaning:
1 a : a substance from which something is made or can be made [count] ▪ building materials ▪ paper, plastic, or other materials [noncount] ▪ small pieces of material ▪ hard material like stone —see also raw material b : a substance that has a particular quality [count] ▪ a sticky material ▪ explosive materials [noncount] ▪ genetic material
2 : something used in doing a particular activity [count] —usually plural ▪ writing/reference materials [noncount] ▪ She was never without reading material.
3 [noncount] : cloth or fabric ▪ The curtains required yards of expensive material.
4 [noncount] : information or ideas ▪ He has been gathering material for a new biography. ▪ The revised edition includes a large amount of new material. ▪ The comedian gets his material from things that have happened to him.
5 [noncount] : a person who is suited to a particular position or job ▪ Her boss regards her as executive material. [=as someone who would make a good executive] ▪ My parents never felt that I was college material. [=that I was someone who should go to college]
2 : something used in doing a particular activity [count] —usually plural ▪ writing/reference materials [noncount] ▪ She was never without reading material.
3 [noncount] : cloth or fabric ▪ The curtains required yards of expensive material.
4 [noncount] : information or ideas ▪ He has been gathering material for a new biography. ▪ The revised edition includes a large amount of new material. ▪ The comedian gets his material from things that have happened to him.
5 [noncount] : a person who is suited to a particular position or job ▪ Her boss regards her as executive material. [=as someone who would make a good executive] ▪ My parents never felt that I was college material. [=that I was someone who should go to college]