The spelling of the word "material" can be a bit tricky due to different pronunciations. It is pronounced as /məˈtɪəriəl/ with stress on the second syllable. The letter "a" in the first and last syllables is pronounced as a schwa sound, while the "e" in the second syllable is pronounced as a short "i" sound. The word can also be spelled with a double "t" in some variations such as "matériel" which is used to describe military equipment and supplies.
Material can be used as a noun or an adjective, and its definition varies slightly depending on its context. As a noun, material refers to the physical substances of which something is made, including substances such as wood, cloth, or metal. It encompasses both raw materials and finished products. Furthermore, material can also refer to information, data, or facts that are used as a basis for study, research, or discussion.
As an adjective, material describes something that is related to or consists of physical substances. It pertains to things that have a tangible presence in the physical world. Material can also signify a significant or important element, aspect, or fact that contributes to a situation or topic. In this sense, it emphasizes the relevance or substance of something.
In both noun and adjective forms, material often carries connotations of being substantial, essential, or having real-world importance. It can refer to the tangible matter that surrounds us or to the information and facts that shape our understanding of the world. Whether referring to physical substances or relevant information, material plays a vital role in our daily lives, influencing decisions, actions, and learning processes.
• Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; important; essential; not merely formal.
• Anything composed of matter; that of which anything is made.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "material" has its origins in the Latin word "materia", which meant "timber" or "building material". It was derived from the Latin word "mater", meaning "mother" or "source", as timber was considered the mother or source of all objects made from it. Over time, the meaning of "materia" expanded to include a broader sense of "substance", and this eventually evolved into the English word "material" in the late 14th century.