materialize

verb

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz 

materialized; materializing

transitive verb

1

a

: to make material : objectify

b

: to cause to appear in bodily form

materialize the spirits of the dead

2

: to cause to be materialistic

intransitive verb

1

: to assume bodily form

2

a

: to appear especially suddenly

b

: to come into existence

materializer noun

Synonyms of materialize

• begin
• originate
• arise
• start
• appear
• commence
• be
• emerge

Examples of materialize in a Sentence

A waiter suddenly materialized beside our table.

Rain clouds materialized on the horizon.

Recent Examples on the Web

The persona has not materialized. —Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026

In an ecosystem that’s still materializing, networking is a consequential component. —Caitlin White, Variety, 29 Apr. 2026

But more sweeping efforts—like proposals in 2020 and 2024 to tax the wealthy to fund housing, health care, and education—failed to fully materialize. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 28 Apr. 2026

The best way to describe my For You Page is as a Disney Channel series with a rotating cast of characters who seem to materialize out of nowhere and then, a few hundred scrolls later, begin to feel like lifelong companions. —Jeff Ihaza, Rolling Stone, 28 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1710, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Rhymes for materialize

• actualize
• antagonize
• apologise
• apologize
• capitalize
• categorize
• characterize
• commercialize
• conceptualize
• contrariwise
• criminalize
• decentralize

Kids Definition

materialize

verb

ma·​te·​ri·​al·​ize mə-ˈtir-ē-ə-ˌlīz 

materialized; materializing

1

: to give material form and substance to

2

: to assume or cause to assume bodily form

a ghost materialized out of nowhere

3

a

: to come into existence

a promise that never materialized

b

: to appear suddenly