nonmaterial

[ non-muh-teer-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. not material or composed of matter.
2. not involving, seeking, or primarily concerned with riches or material things; involving or concerned with the spiritual, intellectual, or cultural aspects of life.
3. of or relating to the spirit or soul; spiritual:

   to minister to a person's nonmaterial needs.

Word History and Origins

Origin of nonmaterial¹

First recorded in 1935–40; non- + material

Example Sentences

The 10th-century Persian polymath Avicenna argued that since we would be able to think and to be self-aware even if we were totally disconnected from all external sensory input, there must be some nonmaterial soul inside of us.

From Nautilus

That is, there are no hidden and nonmaterial sources of energy that power human beings.

From Nautilus

Related Words

• abstract
• abstruse
• esoteric
• mystical
• philosophical
• spiritual
• supernatural
• theoretical