immaterial

adjective

im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: of no substantial consequence : unimportant

2

: not consisting of matter : incorporeal

Synonyms

• bodiless
• ethereal
• formless
• incorporeal
• insubstantial
• nonmaterial
• nonphysical
• spiritual
• unbodied
• unsubstantial

Examples of immaterial in a Sentence

Whether or not he intended to cause problems is immaterial.

The fact that she is a woman is immaterial and irrelevant.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some see the paltry number of artifacts returned as an inherent insult, while others protest that the immaterial aspects of their cultural past were never lost and shouldn’t be discounted. —Alison Willmore, Vulture, 25 Oct. 2024

To a threat actor working to break into and move through a network, the form and function of an asset is immaterial. —Jim Hyman, Forbes, 26 Sep. 2024

The hackers were also members of the People’s Liberation Army, but their employer was immaterial; theft was theft. —Garrett M. Graff, WIRED, 16 Jan. 2020

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer rejected the prosecution’s claim that the evidence was immaterial to the defense. —Gene Maddaus, Variety, 25 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English immaterial, from Late Latin immaterialis, from Latin in- + Late Latin materialis material

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Kids Definition

immaterial

adjective

im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌim-ə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

1

: not consisting of matter

2

: not important : insignificant

Legal Definition

immaterial

adjective

im·​ma·​te·​ri·​al ˌi-mə-ˈtir-ē-əl 

: not essential, pertinent, or of consequence

the jury could have discounted the medical history evidence, or while accepting its accuracy, found it immaterial

—Willett v. State, 911 S.W.2d 937 (1995)

compare irrelevant

immateriality

ˌi-mə-ˌtir-ē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun