2 matter
Function:
verb not used in progressive tensesInflected forms:
matters; mattered; matter·ingMeaning:
[no obj] : to be important ▪ Our families and friends are the people who matter most to us. [=the people we care about most] ▪ Her wealth doesn't matter to me. = It doesn't matter to me that she's rich. [=I don't care that she is rich] ▪ It may not matter to you, but it matters a lot to me! ▪ “Which would you prefer?” “Either one is fine. It really doesn't matter (to me).” ▪ I don't care if you're a little late. All that matters is that you're safe. = The only thing that matters is that you're safe. = What matters is that you're safe. ▪ “Why are you being so quiet?” “Does it matter?” “Of course it matters!” ▪ What does it matter? = It doesn't matter. [=it's not important; I don't care] ▪ I see that she's late again. Not that it matters (to me). [=she's late again, but that's all right] —often + that ▪ He acts as if it doesn't matter that he lied to us. —often + how, who, what, etc. ▪ It doesn't matter how old you are. ▪ It doesn't matter what I say to him. He just won't listen. ▪ It doesn't matter whether we stay at home or go out.