What is material? Pronunciation and usage in English

material means . Learn how to pronounce and use material through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of material

materialnoun

/məˈtɪərɪəl/
Definition & pronunciation of material

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "material" in English. Here's a breakdown with different approaches:

1. The Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • mah - like the beginning of "mama"
  • tee - like "tea"
  • ri - like the "ri" in "rib"
  • al - like "al" in "ball"

So, it sounds like: mah-TEE-ree-al

2. Pronunciation in British English:

  • ma - like the beginning of "mamma"
  • teer - like "tear" (rhymes with "beer")
  • ri - like the "ri" in "rib"
  • al - like "al" in "ball"

So, it sounds like: ma-TEER-ree-al

Key Differences and Tips:

  • "tee" vs. "teer": This is the biggest difference between American and British pronunciation. In British English, it's a short "teer" sound.
  • Stress: The stress is on the second syllable ("TEE").

Resources to Hear the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more targeted feedback, could you tell me:

  • Which accent are you interested in? (American, British, Australian, etc.)

Usage and examples with the word material in English

Let's break down how to use the word "material" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun – Relating to Physical Substances:

  • Definition: This is the most common meaning. It refers to a substance used to make something.
  • Examples:
    • "The material of this table is oak." (The substance – wood)
    • "She sewed a beautiful dress from silk material." (The fabric)
    • "He’s studying the materials needed for building a house." (The various components like wood, bricks, etc.)
    • "The material costs were higher than expected." (The cost of the building supplies).
    • "This is a durable material." (Meaning it’s strong and long-lasting)

2. As a Noun – Information or Content:

  • Definition: Here, “material” refers to essential information, facts, or content. This is often used in a formal context.
  • Examples:
    • "The police are gathering material for their investigation." (Evidence, facts)
    • "He produced a large amount of material for his book." (Text, research, data)
    • "The material presented in the report was highly critical.” (The core arguments presented)
    • “This article is made up of largely secondary material.” (Referring to information based on other sources).

3. As an Adjective – Related to Substance/Origin:

  • Definition: When used as an adjective, “material” describes something as genuinely real, important, or of good quality. It often implies necessity or significance.
  • Examples:
    • "She is a material witness to the crime." (Important – her testimony is crucial)
    • "He's a material player in the business world." (Significant – he has a large impact)
    • "That's a material breach of contract.” (Serious – it violates the agreement significantly)
    • “He’s a material improvement to the team.” (A significant and positive change).

4. Other Less Common Uses:

  • Materialistic: (Adjective) – Excessively concerned with material possessions. "He became increasingly materialistic after he inherited a large sum of money."
  • Materialize: (Verb) - To become real or appear. "The idea began to materialize into a concrete plan."

Tips for Using "Material" Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "material" changes dramatically depending on the context. Pay attention to the surrounding words.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Material" is more common in formal writing and speech, especially when referring to information.
  • Synonyms: Consider synonyms to vary your language:
    • (For substances): substance, component, element, component
    • (For information): data, information, facts, content

Resources for Further Learning:


To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing (or speaking) are you working on? (e.g., academic essay, casual conversation, creative writing)
  • Can you give me an example sentence you’re struggling with?

Comment ()