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

The play, about a fanciful tour guide of a dull and stately English country house who runs into conflict with a factually fastidious official at the historic property, was almost immaterial.

From Los Angeles Times

In court documents seen by BBC News, the lawyers asked for multiple amendments to Ms Mangroe's complaint, insisting certain paragraphs are "immaterial" and "scandalous".

From BBC

Whether people participate in it directly is immaterial.

From Salon

His recent comments about not following his sons into the NFL are immaterial, in our view.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• extraneous
• inconsequential
• meaningless
• trivial
• unimportant