Antonyms for matter


Grammar : Noun, verb
Spell : mat-er
Phonetic Transcription : ˈmæt ər


Definition of matter

Origin :
  • c.1200, materie, "subject of thought, speech, or expression," from Anglo-French matere, Old French matere "subject, theme, topic; substance, content, material; character, education" (12c., Modern French matière), from Latin materia "substance from which something is made," also "hard inner wood of a tree" (cf. Portuguese madeira "wood"), from mater "origin, source, mother" (see mother (n.1)). Or, on another theory, it represents *dmateria, from PIE root *dem-/*dom- (cf. Latin domus "house," English timber). With sense development in Latin influenced by Greek hyle, of which it was the equivalent in philosophy.
  • Meaning "physical substance generally, matter, material" is early 14c.; that of "substance of which some specific object is made or consists of" is attested from late 14c. That of "piece of business, affair, activity, situation, circumstance" is from late 14c. From mid-14c. as "subject of a literary work, content of what is written, main theme." Also in Middle English as "cause, reasons, ground; essential character; field of investigation."
  • Matter of course "something expected" attested from 1739. For that matter attested from 1670s. What is the matter "what concerns (someone), the cause of the difficulty" is attested from mid-15c. To make no matter "be no difference to" also is mid-15c.
  • noun substance
  • noun concern, issue
  • noun subject, thesis
  • noun significance, meaning
  • noun difficulty, problem
  • noun secretion of a sore
  • verb be of consequence, importance
Example sentences :
  • But of course it will be only fair to sis to lay the matter before her just as it is.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • In the matter of minor industries, sericulture holds a first rank.
  • Extract from : « Explorations in Australia » by John Forrest
  • He leaned back, and began to puff leisurely at his pipe, as if this settled the matter.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • "There is one other matter I wanted to speak to you about, Mr. Paine," he said.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • If you will leave the matter in my hands, I will call upon him to-night, and see what I can do.
  • Extract from : « Brave and Bold » by Horatio Alger
  • That he was constantly cheerful proved the matter of his musings to be pleasant.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • Shepler and the party were to go through the mine as a matter of sight-seeing.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • And she was disappointed that he only promised to consider the matter and let her hear from him.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • In that matter I would not trust myself; why, then, should I trust the composite Democrat?
  • Extract from : « 'Tis Sixty Years Since » by Charles Francis Adams
  • The King of course could not allow one of his subjects to outdo him in such a matter.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon

Synonyms for matter

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019