# materialize

/məˈtɪɹiəˌɫaɪz/ (US) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/materialize
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

to become real or happen. You use this when a plan or a person finally appears after being delayed or not expected.

For teachers: to become a reality or to appear in a physical form. Often used to describe the fulfillment of a promise, plan, or expectation.

## Examples

- The plan to build a new park finally materialized.
- After months of waiting, the promised funding finally materialized, allowing the team to start the project.
- The sudden materialization of the long-lost manuscript provided historians with a wealth of primary sources that had previously been thought to be lost forever.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.