material
n. C / Un. the physical stuff that things are made of, like wood, metal, or cloth. It can also mean the information or ideas you use to create something, like a book or a report.
n. physical substance that things can be made from; also refers to information, ideas, or data used in the creation of a work. Often used in the plural to denote specific supplies or equipment.
This dress is made from a very soft material.
The architect spent weeks selecting the right building material to ensure the house would withstand the coastal winds.
The legal team spent months gathering enough material to build a credible case against the corporation, eventually uncovering internal documents that proved negligence.
From Middle English material, from Late Latin māteriālis, from Latin māteria (“wood, material, substance”), from māter (“mother”). Displaced native Middle English andweorc, andwork (“material, matter”) (from Old English andweorc (“matter, substance, material”)). Doublet of materiel.
Uncountable when referring to physical substance in general; countable when referring to specific types or distinct pieces of information.
The dress is made of a beautiful fabric material.The dress is made of a beautiful material.Learners often use 'material' as a redundant modifier for 'fabric' or 'cloth' rather than using it as the primary noun.