material
word
Definition
Material is a substance or physical matter that something is made from, such as wood, metal, or plastic. It can also mean cloth used for making clothes, or information and content used for study, writing, or discussion.
Usage & Nuances
Very common in technical, everyday, and academic contexts. Common patterns: 'raw material', 'building material', 'reading material', 'course material'. For cloth, English often also uses 'fabric'; 'material' is common in everyday speech, especially in British English. Don't confuse it with 'materialistic', which is about loving money and possessions.
Example Sentences
This table is made of strong material.
basic
I bought blue material to make a dress.
basic
The teacher gave us the material for next week's class.
basic
What kind of material is this jacket made from?
natural
There's plenty of material here for a good presentation.
natural
The sofa looks nice, but the material feels cheap.
natural