material

material — noun

1. A physical substance from which objects can be made, such as wood, metal, plasti

1.nounA2
Definition

A physical substance from which objects can be made, such as wood, metal, plastic, or stone.

Example

Wood is a common material used for building houses and furniture.

countable: a material / materials

The factory needs to order more raw materials before production can begin.

common collocation: raw materials

Common collocations
  • raw materials
  • building materials
  • recycled materials
  • lightweight material
  • durable material
Synonyms
  • substance

    broader; can refer to any matter without implying it is used for making things

  • matter

    more scientific; refers to what things are made of at a physical or chemical level

  • stuff

    informal; a vague term for any substance or collection of things

Grammar Patterns

material (for [purpose])

[adjective] material

Usage Note

This sense can be used as both countable and uncountable: 'a material' refers to one specific type, while 'some material' refers to an amount without specifying type.

Common Mistakes

I need a material to build a shelf' (when the type is not important).
I need some material to build a shelf
when the specific type is irrelevant, use the uncountable form.

2. Facts, observations, and ideas that people gather and shape into a completed wor

2.nounB1
Definition

Facts, observations, and ideas that people gather and shape into a completed work — for instance, a book, a research report, a speech, or a stage show.

Example

Hari spent weeks collecting material for his research paper on ocean pollution.

uncountable: material for [purpose]

The comedian used everyday life as material for his stand-up show.

pattern: [source] as material for [output]

Common collocations
  • source material
  • reference material
  • teaching material
  • promotional material
  • research material
Synonyms
  • data

    more technical; refers specifically to facts and statistics rather than ideas

  • content

    broader; can include images, videos, and other media forms

  • source

    focuses on the origin of the information rather than the information itself

Grammar Patterns

material on [topic]

material for [purpose]

source material

reference material

Usage Note

In this sense, 'material' is always uncountable — do not say 'materials' when referring to information or content. The plural form is only possible when referring to multiple collections of source data from different domains.

Common Mistakes

I need to find materials for my presentation.
I need to find material for my presentation.
in this sense, 'material' is uncountable even when referring to multiple pieces of information.

3. Woven or knitted textile fibres, including cotton, silk, and wool, that people s

3.nounB1
Definition

Woven or knitted textile fibres, including cotton, silk, and wool, that people sew into garments, window coverings, and other household items.

Example

Valentina bought two metres of cotton material to make a summer dress.

uncountable amount: [measurement] of material

This material feels soft against the skin, perfect for baby clothes.

Common collocations
  • cotton material
  • silk material
  • woollen material
  • thick material
  • patterned material
Synonyms
  • fabric

    more formal or technical; preferred in fashion and textile industries

  • cloth

    more common for smaller pieces; a cloth can be a finished piece like a dishcloth

  • textile

    industry term; refers to any woven material, often in manufacturing contexts

Grammar Patterns

[amount] of material

[adjective] material

Usage Note

'Material' and 'fabric' can often be used interchangeably in this sense. 'Cloth' is more common when referring to smaller pieces or specific types by name (e.g., 'a cotton cloth' rather than 'a cotton material').

Common Mistakes

I bought a material to make a dress.
I bought some material to make a dress.
when referring to cloth, 'material' is typically uncountable.

4. The tools, equipment, or supplies needed for a specific job, hobby, or education

4.nounB2
Definition

The tools, equipment, or supplies needed for a specific job, hobby, or educational activity.

Example

The art teacher asked the students to bring their own drawing materials to class.

often plural: materials for [activity]

The construction site has run out of basic building materials like cement and bricks.

collocation: building materials

Common collocations
  • building materials
  • art materials
  • teaching materials
  • writing materials
  • craft materials
Synonyms
  • supplies

    emphasises consumable items that need regular replacement

  • equipment

    more general; can include large tools and machinery

  • resources

    broader; can include non-physical items like time and personnel

Grammar Patterns

materials for [activity]

[subject] materials

Usage Note

In this sense, the plural form 'materials' is very common, even when referring to a group of items for one activity. Unlike sense 2 (INFORMATION), this sense freely takes the plural.

Common Mistakes

I forgot my painting material at home.
I forgot my painting materials at home.
for equipment and supplies, the plural form is standard.

5. A person who has the right qualities, skills, or experience for a particular job

5.nounB2
Definition

A person who has the right qualities, skills, or experience for a particular job, position, or activity — for example, someone described as 'managerial material' or 'college material'.

Example

Tunde showed early talent and was clearly officer material in the army.

pattern: [role] material — describes natural suitability

With her determination and quick thinking, Kemi is excellent management material.

Common collocations
  • officer material
  • management material
  • college material
  • partner material
  • leadership material
Synonyms
  • candidate

    more formal; refers to someone being considered, not necessarily naturally suited

  • timber

    British English; similar idiom 'management timber' but less common

Grammar Patterns

[role] material

material for [role]

Usage Note

This sense follows a fixed idiomatic pattern: a noun that names the role or opportunity comes before 'material' (e.g., 'management material', 'college material'). It rarely appears in other grammatical arrangements.

Common Mistakes

He is a material for manager.
He is manager material.
the idiomatic pattern uses '[role] material' without articles.

material — adjective

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Material', 'substance', 'matter', 'stuff', and 'fabric' all refer to what things are made of, but they differ in scope and use. 'Material' is the most practical word — it names a physical substance that people use to make something (wood, metal, plastic). 'Substance' is broader and more scientific; anything from water to glue to skin can be called a substance. 'Matter' belongs to physics and philosophy — it refers to material that occupies space, regardless of its practical use. 'Stuff' is informal and vague, covering mixtures and unspecified collections ('What is that sticky stuff?'). 'Fabric' is narrower, referring specifically to woven or knitted materials like cloth. For everyday use, choose 'material' when you are naming a resource used in building or making, 'substance' when classifying by chemical or physical properties, and 'stuff' only in casual conversation.

substance ↗matter ↗material ↗stuff ↗fabric ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • raw material
  • source material
  • building material
  • teaching material

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'material' comes from Latin 'materia', which originally meant 'wood, timber, or building material'. This in turn came from 'mater' (mother), based on the idea that wood is the 'mother substance' from which things are made. Through Old French 'material', it entered English in the 14th century. The adjective sense of 'important, relevant' dates from the early 17th century, developing from the idea of something forming the 'matter' or essential content of a discussion.