# materially

/məˈtɪɹiəɫi/ (US) · /mətˈiəɹɪəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/materially
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. significantly

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Academic

to a large or important degree that changes the situation.

For teachers: to a significant or substantial extent; used to indicate that a change is large enough to be important.

- The new evidence did not materially change the outcome of the trial.
- The board concluded that the proposed merger would not materially affect the company's long-term financial stability.

Usage: Commonly used in negative constructions like 'not materially different' or 'not materially affected'.

### 2. physically

adverb · CEFR C2 · Formal · Technical

in a way that relates to physical things you can touch, rather than ideas.

For teachers: in a material manner; with respect to physical substance or tangible characteristics.

- The two products are materially identical, even if the packaging looks different.
- Although the two substances appear similar to the naked eye, they are materially distinct at a molecular level.

## Examples

- The new evidence did not materially change the case.
- The company's profits were not materially affected by the small increase in shipping costs this quarter.
- While the architect made several aesthetic adjustments to the facade, the structural integrity of the building was not materially altered from the original blueprints.

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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.