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material

material

73 6.3
A person likely to do well in a particular job or role
  • noun
  • /məˈtɪriəl/
  • Informal
: material (informal)
  • I-I am not management material.

Hey, if you're trying to find wife material or husband material, don't go to the corner bar.

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Examples

  • I was thinking more like... Boyfriend material.

  • You know, we can find you some "good guy" material.

  • In Iowa, there was husband material, and she found Herbert there.

    Fiction book (2002)
  • He's not exactly king material.

  • I mean, we're perfect buddy-movie material.

  • Hey, if you're trying to find wife material or husband material, don't go to the corner bar.

  • Definitely corporate material.

  • "When a woman doesn't have that, people might not think she's partnership material, but she's a good woman.

    Academic text (2011)
  • You know, we can find you some material for the role of a lead actor.

  • I believe she has the right material to become a successful leader.

Synonyms

candidate
vsmaterial
409 2.3

A person being considered for a job, award or prize

is judged mainly for suitability rather than merely being considered
prospect
vsmaterial
123 4.4

A person who is likely to be chosen for a job or prize

is judged for suitability but not necessarily seen as the leading choice
job candidate
vsmaterial
5 2.3

A person who applies to be hired for a job

is seen for suitability across roles rather than only those who apply

Compounds

raw material
  • Specialized
50 2.8

A natural thing used to make goods or energy

22 6.0

A person whose statement is very important to the main question in a court case

Things like books and magazines to read for information or enjoyment

radioactive material
  • Specialized
19 5.1

A substance that gives off invisible energy that can harm people and animals

Documents like books or letters that people use to do research

A thing people use to make houses and other places to live, like wood, brick, concrete

A thing you can touch that belongs to someone

8 8.2

A serious failure to follow a contract that lets the other side end it or claim money

written material
  • Literature
5 2.3

Text created by a person, like a book or letter

Material like bubble wrap that protects things during shipping or storage

Things like old or broken items that are thrown away

Items like leaflets made to advertise a product, service, or event

Parts of trees and other green growing things like leaves, stems or roots

A part of cloth cut to use for clothes or crafts

composite material
  • Specialized
3 4.4

A strong, light substance made by joining two different materials

Something you can use to meet a need, like food or equipment

combustible material
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A material that can catch fire and burn, like wood or paper

A material that soaks up liquids or gases quickly

roofing material
  • Specialized
1 3.1

A thing used to cover and protect the top of a building like tiles or metal sheets

photographic material
  • Specialized
1 4.2

Paper or other material that changes when light hits it and is used to make photos

The physical part of a person with skin, bones, and organs, not the mind or spirit

A thing made from animals, like fur, wool, or leather

Using or throwing away materials so usable parts are lost

time and material
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A way to price work where clients pay for the time spent and materials used

A sticky substance like glue that holds two surfaces together

contrast material
  • Specialized
1 4.4

A liquid dye injected or swallowed to make organs show on scans

Material like straw or wood shavings that makes a dry bed for animals

paving material
  • Specialized
1 3.7

Material that covers roads or paths to make them firm and flat

sealing material
  • Specialized
1 3.4

A substance that fills cracks and gaps to stop leaks of water or air

A substance that gives color to something like food or cloth

1 8.3

A material that makes electricity when you press or bend it

material intensity
  • Specialized
1 6.8

How much material a factory or country uses to make one product

1 4.7

A solid that conducts electricity more when warm or when it has small amounts of other elements

1 8.3

A material with a built-in direction of electric charge that switches with an electric field

abrasive material
  • Specialized
1 4.2

A hard thing like sandpaper or diamond that wears down and smooths surfaces

A material builders use to cover and protect floors, walls, or roofs

sorbent material
  • Specialized
1 7.1

A material that soaks up liquids and gases

1 5.7

A price plan for a job based on the actual time spent and materials used

Material used to cover and pad furniture like chairs or sofas

9.0

A ceramic with electrical, optical, or magnetic properties used in electronic parts

adsorbent material
  • Specialized
5.8

A material that holds other substances on its surface

8.2

A soft thing like clay that you can shape into pots or sculptures

micaceous material
  • Specialized
8.8

A material with thin shiny layers that sparkle in light

A material with a smooth, shiny surface that looks refined

pyroelectric material
  • Specialized
9.3

A material that makes an electric charge when heated or cooled

How Suitable

material
  • Informal
73 6.3
fit
283 1.0
candidate
409 2.3
misfit
48 5.1

Surface Forms

material singular
materials plural

Morphology

material = matter (semi-transparent) = matter + ial

The use meaning 'a person suitable for a role' is a metaphorical extension ('having the right substance/material'), so the relation to 'matter' is indirect.

Etymology

Material used for a person comes from the same idea of 'stuff'; a helpful way to remember it is to think 'star player material' as meaning they have the right 'stuff' or qualities for that role. That's why calling someone 'material' means they seem suited for a particular job or task.