Matter Meaning and Definition
Matter
Pronunciation
/ˈmætər/
Part of Speech
Noun
Definition
A thing that is an entity, a substance, or a quantity, and thus consists of one or more particles that are closely associated or that occupy a particular region of space, having mass or energy.
Examples
- The matter was carefully measured using a precision scale.
- The importance of matter in the universe is a topic of ongoing research.
Synonyms
- Entity
- Substance
- Quantity
Antonyms
- Energy
- Lack
Etymology
The word “matter” comes from the Old French “mater”, meaning “womb”, from the Latin “mater”, meaning “mother”. Initially, it referred to the physical or biological substance of something.
Usage Notes
Matter can be used in both physical and abstract contexts, making it a versatile word. When referring to physical matter, it is often used in conjunction with other terms, such as “solid”, “liquid”, or “gaseous”. In abstract contexts, matter can refer to concepts like ideas, emotions, or experiences.
Cultural References
The concept of matter has been explored in various works of science fiction, such as the 1979 film “The Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and the 2002 film “Minority Report”.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Heart of the matter
- Matter out of hand
Related Words or Phrases
- Particle
- Antimatter
- Energy
Collocations
- Matter at hand
- Make a difference in matters
Frequency of Use
Matter is a relatively common word in modern language, with approximately 3.4 billion occurrences in the Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA).
Common Misspellings
- Matster
- Metter