Definitions for matterˈmæt ər

Random House Webster's College Dictionary

mat•ter^*ˈmæt ər(n.)

the substance of which any physical object consists or is composed.
physical or corporeal substance in general, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous, esp. as distinguished from incorporeal substance, as spirit or mind, or from qualities, actions, and the like.
Category: Physics
something that occupies space.
a particular kind of substance:
coloring matter.
a situation; affair:
a trivial matter.
an amount or extent reckoned approximately:
a matter of 10 miles.
importance; significance:
decisions of little matter.
reason; cause:
a matter for complaint.
the substance of discourse or writing.
something written or printed:
reading matter.
things sent by mail.
a substance discharged by a living body, esp. pus.
Category: Pathology
that which relates to form as potentiality does to actuality.
Category: Philosphy
(v.i.)to be of importance; signify:
It matters to me.
to suppurate.
Category: Pathology
to be the matter,to be a source of concern; be amiss or awry:
What's the matter? Something's the matter.

Idioms for matter:

for that matter, as far as that is concerned; as for that.
Category: Idiom
no matter, regardless or irrespective of:
no matter how we try.
Category: Idiom

^* Syn: matter , material , stuff , substance refer to that of which physical objects are composed. matter applies to anything occupying space and perceptible to the senses; it may denote a particular kind: solid matter; vegetable matter.material refers to a definite kind of matter, esp. that used to manufacture or construct something: woolen material; building materials.stuff is an informal term that applies to the basic material of which something is made; it may also denote an unspecified kind of material: Do you have the stuff to make the rug? substance is usu. a definite kind of matter thought of in relation to its characteristic properties: a sticky substance. These terms are also used abstractly, esp. with reference to thought or expression: controversial matter; material for a novel; the stuff of dreams; the substance of a speech.

Origin of matter:

1175–1225; ME mater(e), materie < AF, OF mat(i)ere, materie < L māteria woody part of a tree, material, substance, der. of mātermother1

mat′ter•less(adj.)

Princeton's WordNet

matter, affair, thing(noun)
a vaguely specified concern
"several matters to attend to"; "it is none of your affair"; "things are going well"
topic, subject, issue, matter(noun)
some situation or event that is thought about
"he kept drifting off the topic"; "he had been thinking about the subject for several years"; "it is a matter for the police"
matter(noun)
that which has mass and occupies space
"physicists study both the nature of matter and the forces which govern it"
matter(noun)
a problem
"is anything the matter?"
matter(noun)
(used with negation) having consequence
"they were friends and it was no matter who won the games"
matter(verb)
written works (especially in books or magazines)
"he always took some reading matter with him on the plane"
count, matter, weigh(verb)
have weight; have import, carry weight
"It does not matter much"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

matter(noun)ˈmæt ər
a subject or topic
We're trying to deal with the matter of his bad behavior.; That's a different matter altogether.
matterˈmæt ər
a substance or type of thing
printed matter
matterˈmæt ər
indicates a problem or worry
What's the matter, Henry?; There's something the matter with my Internet connection.
matterˈmæt ər
emphasizes how small sth is
It's just a matter of days until we go on vacation.; It's only a matter of time before he finds out.
matterˈmæt ər
indicates what sth involves or is about
His getting the job or not is really just a matter of luck.
matterˈmæt ər
depending on sb's opinion or taste
Whether capital punishment is acceptable is a matter of opinion.
matterˈmæt ər
a situation in which sb could die
matterˈmæt ər
indicates you are going to give more information
As a matter of fact, we've just moved into the area.
matterˈmæt ər
indicates you disagree and are going to give your opinion
As a matter of fact, it wasn't Paul who did it, it was Johnny.
matterˈmæt ər
emphasizes a statement
I won't be helping him - or anyone else for that matter.
matterˈmæt ər
indicates what sb does or where/when sth happens is not important
I'll always love you, no matter what you do.
matter(verb)ˈmæt ər
to be important or significant
It doesn't matter if I rip these old pants.; It's family that matters most to him.; Does it matter what time we come?

Wiktionary

matter(Noun)
The basic structural component of the universe. Matter usually has mass and volume.
matter(Noun)
Matter made up of normal particles, not antiparticles. (Non-antimatter matter).
matter(Noun)
A kind of substance.
vegetable matter
matter(Noun)
A condition, subject or affair, especially one of concern.
matter(Noun)
An approximate amount or extent.
a matter of months; a matter of knowledge.
matter(Noun)
Written material (especially in books or magazines)
He always took some reading matter with him on the plane
matter(Noun)
Aristotelian: undeveloped potentiality subject to change and development; formlessness. Matter receives form, and becomes substance.
matter(Verb)
To be important.
matter(Verb)
To care about, to mind; to find important.

Origin: From mater, from materie, from materie, from materia (matter, stuff, material), derivative of Latin mater "mother". Displaced native andweorc (from andweorc), intinga.

Webster Dictionary

Matter(noun)
that of which anything is composed; constituent substance; material; the material or substantial part of anything; the constituent elements of conception; that into which a notion may be analyzed; the essence; the pith; the embodiment
Matter(noun)
that of which the sensible universe and all existent bodies are composed; anything which has extension, occupies space, or is perceptible by the senses; body; substance
Matter(noun)
that with regard to, or about which, anything takes place or is done; the thing aimed at, treated of, or treated; subject of action, discussion, consideration, feeling, complaint, legal action, or the like; theme
Matter(noun)
that which one has to treat, or with which one has to do; concern; affair; business
Matter(noun)
affair worthy of account; thing of consequence; importance; significance; moment; -- chiefly in the phrases what matter ? no matter, and the like
Matter(noun)
inducing cause or occasion, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing; difficulty; trouble
Matter(noun)
amount; quantity; portion; space; -- often indefinite
Matter(noun)
substance excreted from living animal bodies; that which is thrown out or discharged in a tumor, boil, or abscess; pus; purulent substance
Matter(noun)
that which is permanent, or is supposed to be given, and in or upon which changes are effected by psychological or physical processes and relations; -- opposed to form
Matter(noun)
written manuscript, or anything to be set in type; copy; also, type set up and ready to be used, or which has been used, in printing
Matter(verb)
to be of importance; to import; to signify
Matter(verb)
to form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate
Matter(verb)
to regard as important; to take account of; to care for