matter
/ˈmætə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmætər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈma-tər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmæt.ər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmæt̬.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
matter — noun
- mattersingular
- mattersplural
1. a topic, situation, or issue that someone is thinking about or needs to handle
a topic, situation, or issue that someone is thinking about or needs to handle
The board will discuss several financial matters at tomorrow's meeting.
collocation: financial matters / personal matters
Kwame asked his lawyer to handle the legal matter regarding the property.
This is a matter of public safety, so we cannot ignore it.
The manager refused to discuss personal matters during office hours.
文法句型
matter + of + noun
a matter of + noun
用法筆記
Often used with a descriptive adjective (financial, legal, political, personal) before it to specify the type of issue.
常見錯誤
2. the particular situation or topic that people are currently discussing or dealin
the particular situation or topic that people are currently discussing or dealing with
Let us focus on the matter at hand instead of bringing up old complaints.
idiom: the matter at hand
The committee spent two hours debating the matter before reaching a decision.
Tara thought the matter was settled, but her colleague raised new objections.
If there are no more questions on the matter, we shall move on.
文法句型
the matter
the matter in question
3. a problem, cause of pain, or reason for unhappiness — used in questions like 'Wh
a problem, cause of pain, or reason for unhappiness — used in questions like 'What's the matter?' to ask what is wrong
What is the matter, Ayana? You look as though you have been crying.
question: What's the matter?
There is something the matter with the washing machine; it will not drain the water.
The doctor asked what the matter was, but the girl stayed quiet.
There is nothing the matter with your test results; everything looks normal.
文法句型
What's the matter?
What's the matter with + noun?
something the matter
nothing the matter
用法筆記
Nearly always used with 'the'. 'What's the matter?' is a fixed phrase equivalent to 'What's wrong?' Do not use 'a matter' in this sense — it would be understood as sense 1 (a subject/issue).
常見錯誤
4. the physical stuff that makes up everything in the cosmos — it has weight, takes
the physical stuff that makes up everything in the cosmos — it has weight, takes up room, and can be seen or touched
In physics class, the students learned that all matter is made up of tiny atoms.
scientific usage: all matter
Scientists study how matter behaves under extreme temperatures and pressure.
According to recent studies, dark matter makes up most of the mass in the universe.
When wood burns, the matter does not disappear; it changes into gas and ash.
文法句型
matter + verb
adjective + matter
用法筆記
In this scientific sense, 'matter' is uncountable. It contrasts with 'energy', 'mind', or 'spirit' in philosophical contexts.
常見錯誤
5. a specific type of solid, liquid, or gas material that can be identified by its
a specific type of solid, liquid, or gas material that can be identified by its properties or origin
The compost pile is full of decaying plant matter from the garden.
collocation: plant matter / organic matter
Waste matter from factories must be treated before it is released into rivers.
Putri added vegetable matter to the soil to help her vegetables grow better.
The lab technician examined the solid matter collected from the water filter.
文法句型
adjective + matter
用法筆記
Unlike sense 4 (the general scientific concept), this sense refers to specific, identifiable substances, often classified by origin (plant, animal, waste) or state (solid, liquid).
6. a category of items or content sharing a common quality, especially written or i
a category of items or content sharing a common quality, especially written or informational works
The library has a large collection of printed matter on local history.
collocation: printed matter
The publisher needs to review all advertising matter before the brochure goes to print.
His suitcase was full of promotional matter for the new software product.
The teacher prepared supplementary reading matter for the advanced students.
- material
more common in everyday English; 'teaching material', 'reading material'
- content
broader; can refer to digital or multimedia as well as print
- literature
usually implies higher-quality or more substantial written works
文法句型
adjective + matter
用法筆記
Typically used with adjectives like 'printed', 'reading', 'advertising', or 'promotional'. This sense is less common in everyday conversation and appears more in formal or professional contexts.
7. used within the phrase 'a matter of' to stress that something involves only a ti
used within the phrase 'a matter of' to stress that something involves only a tiny quantity, number, or duration
The fire crews arrived at the scene in a matter of minutes after the call.
pattern: a matter of minutes
The repair job is simple; it is a matter of tightening a few screws.
Xiu finished the marathon in a matter of hours, beating her previous record.
The difference between the two prices is a matter of a few dollars at most.
- scarcely
adverb meaning 'barely'; different grammar but similar meaning of small quantity
文法句型
a matter of + noun (minutes/hours/dollars/metres)
用法筆記
Always part of the fixed phrase 'a matter of'. Common time words: minutes, hours, days, weeks. Common quantities: dollars, metres, inches, degrees.
常見錯誤
8. documents, letters, packages, or printed items considered together as a group
documents, letters, packages, or printed items considered together as a group
The secretary sorted the incoming matter into urgent and routine piles.
formal usage: incoming matter
All printed matter sent through the post must include a return address.
collocation: printed matter
The company ships promotional matter to potential customers twice a year.
The archive contains classified matter that cannot be viewed by the public.
- mail
more common for letters and packages sent through the postal system
- correspondence
specifically refers to letters and written communication between people
文法句型
adjective + matter
用法筆記
This sense overlaps with sense 6 but is more specifically about physical documents and mail items, often in official or postal contexts.
matter — verb
- matterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- matters3rd person singular
- mattering-ing form
- matteredpast simple
1. to have importance or influence on a situation — used especially in negative sta
to have importance or influence on a situation — used especially in negative statements and questions to say something is not significant or to ask what is significant
It does not matter if you arrive late; we will wait for you.
negative: It doesn't matter if...
What matters most to Élise is spending time with her family on weekends.
question structure: What matters most...
Does it really matter which colour we choose for the living room walls?
The only thing that matters to the coach is whether the team tried its best.
It matters a great deal to Naoko that her children learn to speak Japanese.
- count
slightly less formal; 'Every vote counts'
- signify
more formal and less common in everyday speech
- be important
a longer paraphrase; 'matter' is more concise
文法句型
It doesn't matter
What matters is...
matter + if/whether
matter + to + person
用法筆記
Most common in negative sentences ('it doesn't matter'), questions ('what matters?'), or with 'if/whether/that'. In affirmative sentences, it often pairs with adverbs like 'much', 'a lot', 'a great deal'.