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matter

matter

84 4.6
Written material in books, magazines, or other printed items
  • noun
  • /ˈmætər/
translation icon : material
  • First, they copy Raphael's entire composition and identify both the fresco's subject matter and location.
  • printed matter
  • reading matter
  • content and matter

Examples

  • And I doubt the Postal Service's "Free Matter for the Blind" is going to apply here.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Now, what truly grim reading matter was banned in Germany after the War?

  • Each of us enjoyed freedom of subject matter and means of expression.

    Academic text (1991)
  • In universities, the struggle is for continuity of subject matter and courses, both relevant and arcane.

    Academic text (1992)
  • By these successive revisions, a very great amount of valuable matter has been added to this abridgement.

    Academic text (2017)
  • Wiley has found that Shiloh's Westerners' written style was matter-of-fact, earthy, and often punctuated by dry humor.

    Academic text (1991)
  • The magazine contains a lot of interesting matter on contemporary art and culture.

  • This book has valuable matter that provides insights into the history of science.

  • Researchers are reviewing the matter included in the latest edition of the journal for accuracy.

Synonyms

content
vsmatter
3.3

The information inside something like a book or website

is specifically written material found especially in printed publications
reading material
vsmatter
19 1.0

Things like books and magazines to read for information or enjoyment

is neutral written content in printed sources without focusing on purpose
written material
vsmatter
  • Literature
3 2.3

Text created by a person, like a book or letter

is plain written content in printed items without stylistic focus
textual matter
vsmatter
5.3

The written words in a book or article, not the pictures

is broader written content in printed sources not only the words
written matter
vsmatter
3.6

Text to be printed or published without pictures

is the general term for written content in printed materials

Idioms

2.2

Whatever happens, it makes no difference

To say that something is true, often when it is surprising

318 1.6

Whatever the situation, the action or result stays the same

198 3.9

It is also true of something just mentioned

161 2.0

A question asking why someone is upset or not feeling well

It will certainly happen, but you do not know when

A phrase that says something will happen despite problems

51 3.2

Something is true whatever way it happens

A very serious situation where someone may die

The most important part of a problem or discussion

Done regularly without extra thought

The most important part of a problem or discussion

Whatever the result, it does not change what someone does or feels

A fact stays true whatever way you look at it

Compounds

720 6.6

A question about what really happened that the jury must decide

The main topic a talk, book, or picture is about

dark matter
  • Specialized
28 7.5

An invisible substance that does not give off or take in light and pulls things by gravity

Calm and direct about facts without strong feeling

8 4.2

Solid waste that leaves the body after it digests food

matter of law
  • Formal
8 7.4

An issue a judge decides about how the law applies

Something that people expect to happen without special effort

white matter
  • Specialized
7 5.0

Tissue in the brain and spinal cord that carries messages between different brain areas

gray matter
  • Specialized
7 4.1

The darker part of the brain and spinal cord containing nerve cells or used to mean being smart

particulate matter
  • Specialized
4 5.1

Tiny solid or liquid pieces in the air that can harm health

state of matter
  • Specialized
2 3.7

A form that a substance can take, like solid, liquid, or gas

1 3.9

The idea that matter cannot be created or destroyed in a closed system but only changes form

back matter
  • Specialized
1 6.0

Sections at the end of a book that give extra information like appendices and an index

front matter
  • Specialized
1 4.6

Pages at the start of a book, like the title page and table of contents

Parts of plants, such as leaves and stems, that can rot

end matter
  • Specialized
6.5

Written pages after the main text that give extra information, like an index or a list of sources

front matter
  • Texting
7.0

A block of information at the start of a digital file that gives title and date for website tools

A rule that matter cannot be made or destroyed in a closed container, so the total amount stays the same

Happening in a normal, expected way

Pictures like photographs, drawings, or charts in a book that are not written words

Pictures like photos and drawings in a text that explain or decorate it

Information shown in a table using rows and columns

The written words in a book or article, not the pictures

Things people throw away because they are not useful

Text to be printed or published without pictures

How Much

book
1.0
matter
84 4.6
article
  • Literature
1.0
note
1.0
excerpt
763 4.3

Surface Forms

matter singular
matters plural

Etymology

Matter meaning written content comes from materia, which meant 'material' or the 'subject' of a book, so 'reading matter' simply means the written 'material' or content you can read.