matter
UK: ˈmætə | US: ˈmætər
n. physical substance or material
n. a subject or situation under consideration
n. importance or significance
vi. to be of importance
The word "matter" traces back to Latin materia, meaning "substance, material, or timber." It entered Old French as matere and later Middle English as matere, retaining its core sense of physical substance. Over time, it expanded metaphorically to include abstract "subjects of discussion" (e.g., "the matter at hand") and the verb form "to matter," implying importance. The suffix -er here is not a productive morpheme but part of the word’s evolution from Latin.
The scientist studied the properties of dark matter.
This legal matter requires urgent attention.
It doesn’t matter if you arrive late.
She handled the matter with great care.
Organic matter enriches the soil.