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nonmaterial

nonmaterial

1 7.7
Has no physical form and is about ideas or feelings
  • adjective
  • /ˌnɒn.məˈtɪr.i.əl/
: inmaterial
  • Professional interest in spirituality and nonmaterial understandings of reality is growing (Cnaan, Boddie, & Danzig, 2005; Hodge, 2006).
  • nonmaterial entity
  • nonmaterial form

Examples

  • In drawing this conclusion, I do not intend to downplay the material and other nonmaterial benefits derived from placing homeless individuals with psychiatric disorders in permanent and independent housing.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Indeed, aboriginal people have successfully incorporated a variety of new material and nonmaterial entities into their ways of life.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Such objectivity includes the nonmaterial aspects of human creativity, including society itself.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Essentially, it is an experience of interaction with what is felt to be an intelligent, nonmaterial entity that is separate from the ego or self.

    Academic text (1990)
  • Spirituality is the conviction that nonmaterial forces influence people's everyday lives.

    Academic text (2003)
  • Founded in 1954 by science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, the Church of Scientology advances the belief that humans are naturally good, nonmaterial spiritual beings.

    Academic text (2004)
  • For this reason, trinitarian faith requires a nonmaterial trinitarian "sight," and since humanity is made in God's image, it is biblically rational to look for such an image in the human person.

    Academic text (2007)
  • As Ekeh discusses, the duties, obligations, and nonmaterial rewards for citizen participation in the primordial public are forms of civic republican citizenship.

    Academic text (1998)
  • As we know from many studies, Native peoples categorize their material and nonmaterial culture differently from the standard anthropological and historical museum categories, which utilize a middle-class European American framework.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Many people find joy in nonmaterial pursuits, such as art and friendship.

Synonyms

intangible
vsnonmaterial
22 7.2

Something that cannot be touched and is often a feeling or quality

means simply that something lacks physical existence rather than being vague
insubstantial
vsnonmaterial
9 6.8

Not solid or strong and not filling

denotes outright absence of material existence rather than mere weakness
immaterial
vsnonmaterial
4 7.4

Not physical and cannot be touched

expresses the same absence but as a neutral general description
incorporeal
vsnonmaterial
2 9.9

Not having a physical body or shape that you can touch

states the same lack but as a general property of matter absence
nonphysical
vsnonmaterial
1 7.0

Not having a body you can touch or see

focuses more broadly on lacking any material or physical existence
unsubstantial
vsnonmaterial
1 7.3

Not solid or real and having little value

refers to actual lack of physical existence rather than just appearing unreal
noncorporeal
vsnonmaterial
1 9.8

Without a physical body or shape

is the general idea of having no material or physical existence
matterless
vsnonmaterial
1 9.9

A thing that has no physical form and cannot be touched

captures that same idea as the overall lack of material existence
unembodied
vsnonmaterial
1 9.9

Not having a physical body, like a ghost

is the general notion of having no material or physical existence
unphysical
vsnonmaterial
1 9.1

About the mind or spirit rather than the body

is strictly about lacking physical matter rather than being only nonphysical in role
unbodied
vsnonmaterial
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Not having a physical form like a ghost or spirit

is the broader term meaning complete absence of physical existence

Antonyms

152 3.5

Relating to physical things or possessions, not spiritual

Surface Forms

nonmaterial positive

Morphology

nonmaterial = material (transparent) = non + material

The meaning is a straightforward negation of 'material' by the productive prefix 'non-', so learners who know 'material' and basic negation will understand it.

Etymology

The word nonmaterial is made of non- meaning 'not' and material meaning 'physical stuff' or 'matter'. So, nonmaterial describes things you cannot touch, like ideas, feelings, or spirits.