Matter Meaning: Definition, Examples & States

Meaning 1：physical substance (matter)

matter 🔊

/ˈmætər/

All physical things that take up space and you can touch.

Matter examples solid liquid gas on dining table

physical substance 🔊

➕

/ˈfɪzɪkəl ˈsʌbstəns/

Anything that has mass and occupies space; the material composition of all tangible objects.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Latin 'materia' (substance), from 'mater' (mother) – the source material.

💡 Mnemonic

Matter = Material; both start with 'mat'. Think: the 'mother' (mater) of all physical stuff.

📖 Example

In the library, you can find books made of different types of matter, from paper to plastic and even electronic screens. 🔊 In the library, you can find books made of different types of matter, from paper to plastic and even electronic screens.

🔗 Collocations

subject matter – The topic or content of a discussion, book, or work of art.

gray matter – Informal term for intelligence or the brain tissue responsible for processing information.

organic matter – Material derived from living organisms, such as plant or animal remains.

🔄 Synonyms

substance (n.) – A particular kind of matter with consistent properties.

material (n.) – The matter from which something is made or composed.

stuff (n.) – Informal term for an unspecified substance or material.

🚫 Antonyms

spirit (n.) – The nonphysical aspect of a person or entity, often opposed to matter.

void (n.) – Empty space containing no matter.

nothingness (n.) – The absence of any matter or existence.

🌱 Derivatives

material (adj./n.) – Relating to matter; physical substance or fabric.

materialize (v.) – To become actual or physical, to appear in tangible form.

matter-of-fact (adj.) – Concerned with facts and reality, without emotion or imagination.

📖 Cultural Story

In ancient Greek philosophy, 'matter' (hyle) was the underlying substance of all physical things, contrasting with form. Today it broadly refers to any physical substance or topic of concern.