non-material

/ˌnɒn.məˈtɪə.ri.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌnɑːn.məˈtɪr.i.əl/ (ame, ipa)

non-material — adjective

1. concerned with things like ideas, culture, or spiritual life rather than money o

1.形容詞B2
釋義

concerned with things like ideas, culture, or spiritual life rather than money or the objects people own.

例句

Arjun argues that friendship and community are the non-material rewards of village life.

predicative use: are the non-material rewards of [noun]

The charity values non-material gifts such as time, skills, and stories from volunteers.

collocation: non-material gifts / contributions

同義詞
  • spiritual

    narrower; focused on religion or the soul rather than the general non-money sphere

  • intangible

    overlaps when the contrast is with possessions, but more often means 'cannot be touched' (sense 2)

反義詞
  • material

    the direct opposite — concerned with money and physical possessions

  • financial

    narrower antonym when the contrast is specifically with money

用法筆記

Frequently modifies abstract nouns of value (rewards, gifts, benefits, wealth, satisfactions). Distinguish from sense 2: this sense contrasts with money or possessions, not with physical existence in general.

常見錯誤

❌Air is non-material because you cannot see it.
✅Air is invisible, but it is still physical.
💡sense 1 contrasts with money/possessions, not with physical existence; use 'intangible' or 'invisible' for things without a visible body.

2. describing something that has no physical body or shape — for example, an idea,

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describing something that has no physical body or shape — for example, an idea, a soul, or a piece of digital information that exists only in the mind or in code.

例句

Philosophers have long debated whether the human mind is a non-material thing separate from the brain.

common context: mind / soul / consciousness as non-material

Software, music, and online courses are non-material products that customers download instead of receiving in a box.

collocation: non-material products / goods

同義詞
  • intangible

    closest everyday equivalent — cannot be touched or held

  • incorporeal

    more formal and literary, often used of spirits or souls

  • immaterial

    in philosophy, near-identical to this sense; in everyday English usually means 'unimportant'

反義詞
  • physical

    the everyday opposite — has a body that can be touched

  • tangible

    can be touched or measured

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about the absence of physical form (mind, soul, software), not about a contrast with money. Common in philosophy, theology, and computing contexts.

常見錯誤

❌The painting is non-material because it costs nothing.
✅The painting is free of charge.
💡sense 2 is about lacking a physical body; a painting is clearly physical regardless of price.

3. connected to feelings such as love, comfort, or grief rather than to objects or

3.形容詞C1
釋義

connected to feelings such as love, comfort, or grief rather than to objects or money.

例句

After the fire, the family needed non-material support — listening, hugs, and kind words from neighbours.

common collocation: non-material support

Stephanie said the card meant more to her than any gift, because of its non-material warmth.

同義詞
  • emotional

    the most natural everyday equivalent in this sense

  • affective

    formal/academic, mainly in psychology or counselling

反義詞
  • practical

    contrasts emotional support with practical (food, money, repairs) help

  • material

    the direct opposite

用法筆記

Object nouns are typically emotional or relational (support, comfort, warmth, needs, inheritance, legacy). Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 covers any non-monetary value (culture, ideas, skills); this sense narrows to feeling-related value.

常見錯誤

❌The book taught me many non-material facts about history.
✅The book taught me many non-material values, such as patience.
💡sense 3 attaches to feelings/emotions, not to information; pair with words like support, warmth, comfort, needs.