nonmaterial

American  

[non-muh-teer-ee-uhl] / ˌnɒn məˈtɪər i əl /

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.

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Etymology

Origin of nonmaterial

First recorded in 1935–40; non- + material

Example Sentences

Elders, including me, can attest that toward the end of life, nonmaterial well-being becomes more important than material wealth.

From Washington Post • Mar. 23, 2023

Plato suggested that beings in the physical world are imperfect reflections of perfect forms that are part of an invisible, nonmaterial world.

From Textbooks • Jun. 15, 2022

He utilizes concrete as a nonmaterial in my mind — it’s really about space and how you circulate within it, and the light and the freedom of expression that nevertheless serve a purpose.

From New York Times • Aug. 2, 2021

The “old mysterians” were dualists who believed in nonmaterial properties, such as the soul, that cannot be explained by natural processes.

From Scientific American • Jul. 1, 2018

I don’t think I’ll make any more progress with my mom, but how do I tell everyone else to give only one gift or give nonmaterial presents instead?

From Slate • Feb. 8, 2018

Related Words

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