Meaning & use
matter
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Meanings
noununcountablephysics
The physical substance that everything in the universe is made of, which has weight and occupies space.
Grammar: Not used in plural in science: matter, not matters.
Patterns
- matter and energy
- a form of matter
Solids, liquids and gases are all forms of matter.
Scientists study how matter changes under heat.
Dark matter cannot be seen directly.
nouncountable
A subject, situation or issue that you need to deal with or think about.
Grammar: Often used in the phrases a matter of or the matter.
Patterns
- a matter of something
- a matter for someone
- the matter with something
Money is a private matter for the family.
We need to discuss this matter immediately.
It is a matter of time before he finds out.
verbintransitive
To be important or to make a difference to someone.
Grammar: No object; often followed by to: it matters to me.
Patterns
- matter to someone
- it doesn't matter
Your opinion matters to us.
It doesn't matter which door you use.
Does it really matter if we arrive late?
Word forms
| plural | matters |
|---|---|
| third person singular | matters |
| past tense | mattered |
| past participle | mattered |
| -ing form | mattering |
Common combinations
- what's the matter
- What's the matter? You look upset.
- a matter of time
- It is only a matter of time before the bridge opens.
- no matter what
- No matter what happens, call me.
- dark matter
- Dark matter makes up much of the universe.
- matter greatly
- Honesty matters greatly in this job.
- organic matter
- Organic matter in soil helps plants grow.
Synonyms and how they differ
- substance
- Substance is a particular kind of material, whereas matter is the general word for all physical material.
- issue
- Issue suggests a problem or topic to be discussed, while matter is more neutral.
- count
- Count as a verb is similar to matter but is more often used when something is included or valued.
- affair
- Affair is a wider word for events or business, and often sounds more formal.
Opposites
Word family
- material noun
- the stuff something is made from
- immaterial adjective
- not important or not physical
- matter-of-fact adjective
- calm and practical
- materialize verb
- to become real
Practice
I am sorry I forgot your birthday, but it really doesn't ____ to me when we celebrate.
Choose one answer.
Matter to someone means be important to them. Care, count and mind would need a different structure, such as 'I don't care when' or 'It doesn't count'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “matter”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.