Meaning of “matter” - Learner’s Dictionary


noun us uk /ˈmætər/
Extra Examples
The matter is now in the hands of my solicitor.I'm not at liberty to discuss the matter at present.This is by no means the end of the matter.These new regulations just complicate matters further.The government has promised a thorough investigation of the matter.

B2 a subject or situation that you need to think about, discuss, or deal with:

I've been thinking about this matter for a long time.
He denied any knowledge of the matter.
To make matters worse, our car broke down!

the physical substances that exist in the universe


a particular type of substance or thing:

vegetable matter
printed matter
what's the matter

A2 used to ask or talk about the reason for a problem:

What's the matter with your leg?
I can't help you if you won't tell me what the matter is.
there's something/nothing the matter

A2 used to say that there is/is not a problem:

There's something the matter with the washing machine.
a matter of days/weeks/feet, etc

used in expressions describing how small a period of time or an amount is:

The aircraft missed each other by a matter of feet.
a matter of confidence/luck/waiting, etc

If something is a matter of confidence/luck/waiting, etc, that is what you need for it to happen:

Learning languages is just a matter of hard work.
no matter how/what/when, etc

B2 used to emphasize that something cannot be changed:

I never manage to lose any weight, no matter how hard I try.
as a matter of fact

B2 used to emphasize that something is true, especially when it is surprising:

As a matter of fact, I used to live next door to him.
a matter of course

If something happens as a matter of course, it always happens as part of the normal process or system:

Babies were tested for the disease as a matter of course.
a matter of life and/or death

a serious situation where people could die:

Getting water to these people is a matter of life and death.
it's only a matter of time

If you say that it is only a matter of time before something happens, you are sure it will happen but you do not know when.

(Definition of “matter noun” from the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)