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material

material

134 6.3
A person likely to do well in a particular job or role
  • noun
  • /məˈtɪriəl/
  • Informal
translation icon : 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
564 2.3

A person being considered for a job, award or prize

is judged mainly for suitability rather than merely being considered
prospect
vsmaterial
104 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
4 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
48 2.8

A natural thing used to make goods or energy

21 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

Documents like books or letters that people use to do research

radioactive material
  • Specialized
16 5.1

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

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

6 8.2

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

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

Material like bubble wrap that protects things during shipping or storage

A part of cloth cut to use for clothes or crafts

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

written material
  • Literature
3 2.3

Text created by a person, like a book or letter

composite material
  • Specialized
2 4.4

A strong, light substance made by joining two different materials

Things like old or broken items that are thrown away

combustible material
  • Specialized
1 4.1

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

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

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

contrast material
  • Specialized
1 4.4

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

A sticky substance like glue that holds two surfaces together

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

time and material
  • Specialized
1 4.1

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

Using or throwing away materials so usable parts are lost

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

A substance that gives color to something like food or cloth

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

9.0

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

abrasive material
  • Specialized
4.2

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

adsorbent material
  • Specialized
5.8

A material that holds other substances on its surface

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

8.3

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

8.2

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

material intensity
  • Specialized
6.8

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

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

paving material
  • Specialized
3.7

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

8.3

A material that makes electricity when you press or bend it

sealing material
  • Specialized
3.4

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

4.7

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

5.7

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

sorbent material
  • Specialized
7.1

A material that soaks up liquids and gases

Material used to cover and pad furniture like chairs or sofas

How Suitable

material
  • Informal
134 6.3
fit
79 1.0
candidate
564 2.3
misfit
54 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.