The word "immaterial" is spelled with three syllables: /ɪˌmætɪərɪəl/. The first syllable is pronounced as "ih". The second syllable is pronounced as "mat," and the third syllable is pronounced as "ir-ee-uhl." The word's spelling reflects its meaning, which refers to something that is not relevant or important. As an adjective, immaterial describes something that lacks substance or significance. In a sentence, one might say, "His opinion on the matter was immaterial since he was not involved in the decision-making process."
Immaterial is an adjective that refers to something that is without physical substance, unimportant, or irrelevant. It is derived from the Latin word "immaterialis," which means "not consisting of matter" or "insubstantial."
In the context of lacking physical substance, immaterial can describe something that cannot be perceived by the senses or does not have a material form. For example, when discussing spiritual or metaphysical concepts, such as the soul or consciousness, they are often considered immaterial because they cannot be touched or seen.
Immaterial can also describe something that is unimportant or of little significance. In this sense, it refers to things that have no bearing on a particular matter or are irrelevant to a situation. For instance, when discussing a legal case, a judge may rule that certain pieces of evidence are immaterial to the trial if they do not contribute to the key issues being discussed.
Furthermore, immaterial can describe something that is considered insignificant in the grand scheme of things. When evaluating the importance of an event, situation, or outcome, if it is deemed immaterial, it means that it will have little or no impact on the overall result or final decision.
Overall, immaterial suggests the absence of physical substance, lack of importance, or irrelevance in various contexts, encompassing both concrete and abstract concepts.
Not consisting of matter; unsubstantial; spiritual; unimportant.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "immaterial" is derived from the Latin word "immaterialis", which can be further traced back to the combination of the prefix "im-" (meaning "not" or "without") and the word "materialis" (meaning "material" or "matter"). The Latin term "materialis" has its roots in the word "materies", which translates to "matter" in English. Therefore, the etymology of "immaterial" suggests a negation or absence of materiality or matter.