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¹matter

noun mat·ter \ˈma-tər\

: something that is being done, talked about, or thought about

matters : the situation or subject that is being discussed or dealt with

physics : the thing that forms physical objects and occupies space

Full Definition of MATTER

a : a subject under consideration

b : a subject of disagreement or litigation

c plural : the events or circumstances of a particular situation

d : the subject or substance of a discourse or writing

e : something of an indicated kind or having to do with an indicated field or situation <this is a serious matter> <as a matter of policy> <matters of faith>

f : something to be proved in law

g obsolete : sensible or serious material as distinguished from nonsense or drollery

h (1) obsolete : reason, cause (2) : a source especially of feeling or emotion

i : problem, difficulty

a : the substance of which a physical object is composed

b : material substance that occupies space, has mass, and is composed predominantly of atoms consisting of protons, neutrons, and electrons, that constitutes the observable universe, and that is interconvertible with energy

c : a material substance of a particular kind or for a particular purpose <vegetable matter>

d (1) : material (as feces or urine) discharged from the living body (2) : material discharged by suppuration : pus

a : the indeterminate subject of reality; especially : the element in the universe that undergoes formation and alteration

b : the formless substratum of all things which exists only potentially and upon which form acts to produce realities

: a more or less definite amount or quantity <cooks in a matter of minutes>

: something written or printed

: mail

Christian Science : the illusion that the objects perceived by the physical senses have the reality of substance

— as a matter of fact

: in fact : actually

— for that matter

: so far as that is concerned

— no matter

: without regard to : irrespective of <points in the same direction no matter how it is tilted>

— no matter what

: regardless of the costs, consequences, or results <wants to win, no matter what>

— the matter

: wrong <nothing's the matter with me>

See matter defined for English-language learners

See matter defined for kids

Origin of MATTER

Middle English matere, from Anglo-French, from Latin materia matter, physical substance, from mater

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to MATTER

Synonyms: content, motif, motive, question, subject, theme, topic

Antonyms: answer, solution

Rhymes with MATTER

attar, batter, blatter, chatter, clatter, flatter, hatter, latter, natter, patter, plaiter, platter, ratter, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, tatter

²matter

verb

: to be important

Full Definition of MATTER

intransitive verb

: to form or discharge pus : suppurate <mattering wound>

: to be of importance : signify

See matter defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of MATTER

1530

Related to MATTER

Synonyms: count, import, mean, signify, weigh, carry weight, cut ice

Rhymes with MATTER

batter, chatter, clatter, flatter, natter, patter, plaiter, scatter, shatter, smatter, spatter, splatter, tatter

MATTER Defined for Kids

¹matter

noun mat·ter \ˈma-tər\

Definition of MATTER for Kids

: something to be dealt with or considered <We have a serious matter to discuss.>

: problem 2, difficulty <What's the matter?>

: the substance things are made of : something that takes up space and has weight

: material substance of a certain kind or function <coloring matter> <plant matter>

: pus

: a small quantity or amount <The difference is a matter of ten cents.>

— as a matter of fact

: actually <Hello. As a matter of fact I just called you.>

— no matter

: without regard to <… no matter how much she swept, it never looked clean. — Pam Muñoz Ryan, Esperanza Rising>

— no matter what

: regardless of the costs or consequences

²matter

verb

mat·teredmat·ter·ing

Definition of MATTER for Kids

: to be of importance <His money doesn"t matter to me.>

Medical Dictionary

matter

noun mat·ter \ˈmat-ər\

Medical Definition of MATTER

: material (as feces or urine) discharged or for discharge from the living body <an obstruction interfering with passage of matter from the intestine>

: material discharged by suppuration : pus