immaterial

[ im-uh-teer-ee-uhl ]

adjective

1. of no essential consequence; unimportant.
2. not pertinent; irrelevant.
3. not material; incorporeal; spiritual.

immaterial

/ ˌɪməˈtɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. of no real importance; inconsequential
2. not formed of matter; incorporeal; spiritual

Derived Forms

• ˌimmaˈterially, adverb
• ˌimmaˌteriˈality, noun

Other Words From

• imma·teri·al·ly adverb
• imma·teri·al·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of immaterial¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Medieval Latin word immāteriālis. See im- ², material

Example Sentences

Local board acceptance is immaterial in California and normally handled as a point of information.

From Los Angeles Times

Pennsylvania’s law disenfranchising voters who cast timely ballots but make an immaterial mistake is nonsensical.

From Slate

A federal challenge arguing that the law violates a part of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 barring disenfranchising voters for certain immaterial errors so far has failed; the Supreme Court will decide after the election whether to take the case.

From Slate

This is what was hanging over the Pennsylvania Supreme Court when it decided against protecting voters in its state who make an immaterial voting mistake.

From Slate

Vu explained the science behind butter’s moisture and fat content: "Butter that is higher in fat would logically follow that it has a lower water content and vice-versa. In most savory cooking, if you are melting or browning the butter, this would be immaterial. But in many baking recipes, you might be relying on some of that water to become steam to help leaven your pastry."

From Salon

Related Words

• extraneous
• inconsequential
• meaningless
• trivial
• unimportant