immaterial
Americanadjective
-
of no essential consequence; unimportant.
-
not pertinent; irrelevant.
-
not material; incorporeal; spiritual.
adjective
-
of no real importance; inconsequential
-
not formed of matter; incorporeal; spiritual
Other Word Forms
- immateriality noun
- immaterially adverb
- immaterialness noun
Etymology
Origin of immaterial
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word immāteriālis. See im- 2, material
Explanation
Things that are immaterial have no physical form (like a ghost) or are unimportant (like most ghost stories). Something that’s material has substance, right? You can touch it or it's important. So the opposite is the word immaterial, which means something that doesn't matter, or has no physical substance, or which adds nothing to the subject at hand. This word is heard a lot in court, where "It's immaterial!" dismisses evidence or testimony as meaningless or beside the point. You could say the wind is literally immaterial, though windiness is not immaterial if you’re going kiting.
Vocabulary lists containing immaterial
The Catcher in the Rye
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
All Quiet on the Western Front
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Never Mind: Synonyms for "Meaningless"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
That said, whether the flight you were rebooked on had a TV or not is immaterial to the legality of your situation.
From MarketWatch • Feb. 11, 2026
Whatever the Post is worth today is immaterial to Bezos’ wealth.
From Slate • Feb. 5, 2026
In Boston, the absence of Celtics star Jaylen Brown with knee and hamstring injuries proved immaterial as the hosts pummeled the Sacramento Kings 112-93.
From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026
The question is entertaining, on an academic level, but also largely immaterial, and should not detract from the scale of Verstappen's achievement.
From BBC • Nov. 9, 2025
Even human beings had not only an immaterial mind but a material sensitive soul, capable of a physical presence after death.
From "The Invention of Science" by David Wootton
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
