Master confusing words with ease
Material vs. Materiel
Material
/məˈtɪriəl/Examples:
I rented it and moved in with my instruments and materials.It gives material for very instructive conclusions."To supply the missing background, editors usually bound in explanatory material.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
This word has no antonymsMateriel
/məˌtɪərɪˈɛl/Examples:
The regiment received new materiel ahead of the maneuver.Government contracts ensure constant supply of military materiel.The company's profits soared due to increased materiel demand.
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
Ways to tell them apart:
- Material refers to physical substances or objects from which things are made, whereas materiel refers to the equipment and supplies used by the military.
- Remember that materiel involves soldiers, weapons, and logistics but not books, clothes or papers.
- Material is commonly used in everyday contexts about things you can touch, like fabric, metal, or wood.
- Material ends with -ial, like physical, which helps remember it deals with tangible stuff.
- Materiel relates to the armed forces; think of it like having an e for equipment and r for regular forces.
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