Material vs. Stuff — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
Material refers to the substances from which things are made, often used in specific contexts like construction or manufacturing, while "stuff" is a more informal term, broadly encompassing any type of substance or belongings without specification.
Difference Between Material and Stuff
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Material is often associated with specific, identifiable substances used for construction or manufacturing, such as wood, steel, or fabric. In contrast, "stuff" is a casual term that can refer to a wide range of items, materials, or belongings, typically used in everyday speech without the need for precision.
In a technical or academic context, 'material' can denote elements with defined properties and uses, such as raw materials in industrial settings. Whereas "stuff" lacks the formality and specificity, making it unsuitable for precise scientific or technical descriptions.
The usage of 'material' can also imply a level of permanence and purpose, as in building materials or educational materials. On the other hand, "stuff" might refer to items collected haphazardly, such as the things one might pack into a box when moving.
In the arts and crafts, 'material' conveys a sense of tailored suitability, such as materials chosen for their specific qualities in a project. Conversely, "stuff" may be used to describe assorted objects and tools without consideration of their detailed characteristics.
The term 'material' also appears in metaphysical discussions, referring to physical substances as opposed to spiritual or intellectual entities. Conversely, "stuff" is rarely used in such contexts, maintaining its role in more colloquial, general usage.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Substances used in the production of goods
A general term for objects or possessions
Context of Use
Technical, industrial, educational
Informal, everyday speech
Specificity
High; specific types and properties
Low; vague and non-specific
Examples
Wood, steel, textile
Things in a drawer, items in a box
Associated Concepts
Permanence, purpose
Transience, assortment
Compare with Definitions
Material
Substances from which things are made.
The sculpture was crafted from an array of recycled materials.
Stuff
A casual reference to an indefinite number of things.
There’s all sorts of stuff in the garage.
Material
Relevant content in a subject of study.
She studied the course materials before the exam.
Stuff
The essential substance or elements.
This book has the right stuff for the final exam.
Material
Physical or tangible elements in contrast to abstract.
They decided to focus more on material wealth than spiritual.
Stuff
Informal belongings or equipment.
He packed his stuff and moved out.
Material
Components or elements used in manufacturing.
The factory sources its materials from all over the world.
Stuff
To fill an item or space tightly.
He stuffed his suitcase with clothes and books.
Material
Cloth used in sewing or textiles.
She bought beautiful material for her wedding dress.
Stuff
To force into a small space.
She stuffed the pillow into its case.
Material
A material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an object. Materials can be pure or impure, living or non-living matter.
Stuff
The material out of which something is made or formed; substance.
Material
The substance or substances out of which a thing is or can be made.
Stuff
The essential substance or elements; essence
"We are such stuff / As dreams are made on" (Shakespeare).
Material
Something, such as an idea or information, that is to be refined and made or incorporated into a finished effort
Material for a comedy.
Stuff
Unspecified material
Put that stuff over there.
Material
Materials Tools or apparatus for the performance of a given task
Writing materials.
Stuff
Household or personal articles considered as a group.
Material
Yard goods or cloth.
Stuff
Worthless objects.
Material
A person who is qualified or suited for a position or activity
The members of the board felt that she was vice-presidential material.
Stuff
(Slang) Specific talk or actions
Don't give me that stuff about being tired.
Material
Of, relating to, or composed of matter.
Stuff
The control a player has over a ball, especially to give it spin, english, curve, or speed.
Material
Of, relating to, or affecting physical well-being; bodily
"the moral and material welfare of all good citizens" (Theodore Roosevelt).
Stuff
The spin, english, curve, or speed imparted to a ball
"where we could watch the stuff, mainly curves, that the pitchers were putting on the ball" (James Henry Gray).
Material
Of or concerned with the physical as distinct from the intellectual or spiritual
"Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force, that thoughts rule the world" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
Stuff
(Basketball) A dunk shot.
Material
Being both relevant and consequential; crucial
Testimony material to the inquiry.
Stuff
Special capability
The team really showed its stuff and won the championship.
Material
(Philosophy) Of or relating to the matter of reasoning, rather than the form.
Stuff
Chiefly British Woven material, especially woolens.
Material
Having to do with matter; consisting of matter.
This compound has a number of interesting material properties.
Stuff
(Slang) Money; cash.
Material
Worldly, as opposed to spiritual.
Don't let material concerns get in the way of living a happy life.
Stuff
(Slang) A drug, especially one that is illegal or habit-forming.
Material
Significant.
You've made several material contributions to this project.
This is the most material fact in this lawsuit.
Stuff
To pack (a container) tightly; cram
Stuff a Christmas stocking.
Material
Matter which may be shaped or manipulated, particularly in making something.
Asphalt, composed of oil and sand, is a widely used material for roads.
Stuff
To block (a passage); plug
Stuff a crack with caulking.
Material
Text written for a specific purpose.
We were a warm-up act at the time; we didn't have enough original material to headline.
Stuff
(Basketball) To block (a shot or an opponent who is shooting), especially before the ball leaves the shooter's hands.
Material
A sample or specimens for study.
Stuff
To place forcefully into a container or space; thrust
Stuffed laundry into the bag.
Material
Cloth to be made into a garment. Fabric.
You'll need about a yard of material to make this.
Stuff
(Sports) To shoot (a ball or puck) forcefully into the goal from close range.
Material
A person, or people collectively, who are qualified for a certain position or activity.
Boy/girlfriend material
Marriage material
We have lots of presidential material in various public offices.
Stuff
(Basketball) To dunk (the ball).
Material
Related data of various kinds, especially if collected as the basis for a document or book.
Stuff
To fill with an appropriate stuffing
Stuff a pillow.
Material
The substance that something is made or composed of.
Stuff
To fill (an animal skin) to restore its natural form for mounting or display.
Material
(chess) All of a player's pieces and pawns on the chessboard.
Stuff
To cram with food.
Material
To form from matter; to materialize.
Stuff
To fill (the mind)
His head is stuffed with silly notions.
Material
Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical; as, material substance or bodies.
The material elements of the universe.
Stuff
To put fraudulent votes into (a ballot box).
Material
Pertaining to, or affecting, the physical nature of man, as distinguished from the mental or moral nature; relating to the bodily wants, interests, and comforts; as, material well-being; material comforts.
Stuff
To apply a preservative and softening agent to (leather).
Material
Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of consequence; not be dispensed with; important; significant.
Discourse, which was always material, never trifling.
I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down only such as are most material to our present purpose.
Stuff
To overeat; gorge.
Material
Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form, of a thing. See Matter.
Stuff
(informal) Miscellaneous items or objects; (with possessive) personal effects.
What is all that stuff on your bedroom floor?
He didn't want his pockets to bulge so he was walking around with all his stuff in his hands.
Material
The substance or matter of which anything is made or may be made.
Stuff
Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils.
Material
To form from matter; to materialize.
Stuff
(informal) Unspecified things or matters.
I had to do some stuff.
Material
The tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object;
Coal is a hard black material
Wheat is the stuff they use to make bread
Stuff
The tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object.
Material
Information (data or ideas or observations) that can be used or reworked into a finished form;
The archives provided rich material for a definitive biography
Stuff
(archaic) A material for making clothing; any woven textile, but especially a woollen fabric.
Material
Things needed for doing or making something;
Writing materials
Useful teaching materials
Stuff
(archaic) Boards used for building.
Material
Artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers;
The fabric in the curtains was light and semitraqnsparent
Woven cloth originated in Mesopotamia around 5000 BC
She measured off enough material for a dress
Stuff
Abstract/figurative substance or character.
Material
A person judged suitable for admission or employment;
He was university material
She was vice-presidential material
Stuff
Paper stock ground ready for use. When partly ground, it is called half stuff.
Material
Concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests;
Material possessions
Material wealth
Material comforts
Stuff
(informal) Used as placeholder, usually for material of unknown type or name.
Can I have some of that stuff on my ice-cream sundae?
Material
Derived from or composed of matter;
The material universe
Stuff
(slang) Narcotic drugs, especially heroin.
Material
Directly relevant to a matter especially a law case;
His support made a material difference
Evidence material to the issue at hand
Facts likely to influence the judgment are called material facts
A material witness
Stuff
(obsolete) A medicine or mixture; a potion.
Material
Concerned with or affecting physical as distinct from intellectual or psychological well-being;
Material needs
The moral and material welfare of all good citizens
Stuff
Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or irrational language.
Don't give me any of that 'what-about' stuff!
Material
Having material or physical form or substance;
That which is created is of necessity corporeal and visible and tangible
Stuff
(nautical) A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared for lubrication.
Material
Having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary;
The substantial world
A mere dream, neither substantial nor practical
Most ponderous and substantial things
Stuff
Money.
Stuff
(transitive) To fill by packing or crowding something into; to cram with something; to load to excess.
I'm going to stuff this pillow with feathers.
Stuff
(transitive) To fill a space with (something) in a compressed manner.
He stuffed his clothes into the closet and shut the door.
Stuff
To fill with seasoning.
She stuffed the turkey for Thanksgiving using her secret recipe.
Stuff
(transitive) To load goods into (a container) for transport.
Stuff
To sate.
I’m stuffed after having eaten all that turkey, mashed potatoes and delicious stuffing.
Stuff
(pronominal) To eat, especially in a hearty or greedy manner.
She sits on the sofa all day, watching TV and stuffing herself with cream buns.
Stuff
To break; to destroy.
He skidded off the road and totally stuffed his brand new car.
Stuff
To sexually penetrate.
His wife came home early and found him on the couch stuffing the maid.
Stuff
Used to contemptuously dismiss or reject something. See also stuff it.
Stuff your stupid rules, I'll do what I like.
Stuff
(informal) To heavily defeat or get the better of.
Mudchester Rovers were stuffed 7-0 in the semi-final.
They totally stuffed us in that business deal.
Stuff
(transitive) To cut off another competitor in a race by disturbing his projected and committed racing line (trajectory) by an abrupt manoeuvre.
I got stuffed by that guy on the supermoto going into that turn, almost causing us to crash.
Stuff
To preserve a dead bird or other animal by filling its skin.
Stuff
(transitive) To obstruct, as any of the organs; to affect with some obstruction in the organs of sense or respiration.
Stuff
(transitive) To form or fashion by packing with the necessary material.
Stuff
To crowd with facts; to cram the mind of; sometimes, to crowd or fill with false or idle tales or fancies.
Stuff
To compress (a file or files) in the StuffIt format, to be unstuffed later.
Stuff
Material which is to be worked up in any process of manufacture.
For the stuff they had was sufficient for all the work to make it, and too much.
Ambitions should be made of sterner stuff.
The workman on his stuff his skill doth show,And yet the stuff gives not the man his skill.
Stuff
The fundamental material of which anything is made up; elemental part; essence.
Yet do I hold it very stuff o' the conscienceTo do no contrived murder.
Stuff
Woven material not made into garments; fabric of any kind; specifically, any one of various fabrics of wool or worsted; sometimes, worsted fiber.
What stuff wilt have a kirtle of?
It [the arras] was of stuff and silk mixed, though, superior kinds were of silk exclusively.
Stuff
Furniture; goods; domestic vessels or utensils.
He took away locks, and gave away the king's stuff.
Stuff
A medicine or mixture; a potion.
Stuff
Refuse or worthless matter; hence, also, foolish or irrational language; nonsense; trash.
Anger would inditeSuch woeful stuff as I or Shadwell write.
Stuff
A melted mass of turpentine, tallow, etc., with which the masts, sides, and bottom of a ship are smeared for lubrication.
Stuff
Paper stock ground ready for use.
Stuff
To fill by crowding something into; to cram with something; to load to excess; as, to stuff a bedtick.
Sometimes this crook drew hazel bought adown,And stuffed her apron wide with nuts so brown.
Lest the gods, for sin,Should with a swelling dropsy stuff thy skin.
Stuff
To thrust or crowd; to press; to pack.
Put roses into a glass with a narrow mouth, stuffing them close together . . . and they retain smell and color.
Stuff
To fill by being pressed or packed into.
With inward arms the dire machine they load,And iron bowels stuff the dark abode.
Stuff
To fill with a seasoning composition of bread, meat, condiments, etc.; as, to stuff a turkey.
Stuff
To obstruct, as any of the organs; to affect with some obstruction in the organs of sense or respiration.
I'm stuffed, cousin; I can not smell.
Stuff
To fill the skin of, for the purpose of preserving as a specimen; - said of birds or other animals.
Stuff
To form or fashion by packing with the necessary material.
An Eastern king put a judge to death for an iniquitous sentence, and ordered his hide to be stuffed into a cushion, and placed upon the tribunal.
Stuff
To crowd with facts; to cram the mind of; sometimes, to crowd or fill with false or idle tales or fancies.
Stuff
To put fraudulent votes into (a ballot box).
Stuff
To feed gluttonously; to cram.
Taught harmless man to cram and stuff.
Stuff
The tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object;
Coal is a hard black material
Wheat is the stuff they use to make bread
Stuff
Miscellaneous unspecified objects;
The trunk was full of stuff
Stuff
Informal terms for personal possessions;
Did you take all your clobber?
Stuff
Senseless talk;
Don't give me that stuff
Stuff
Unspecified qualities required to do or be something;
The stuff of heros
You don't have the stuff to be a United States Marine
Stuff
Information in some unspecified form;
It was stuff I had heard before
There's good stuff in that book
Stuff
A critically important or characteristic component;
Suspense is the very stuff of narrative
Stuff
Fill completely;
The child stuffed his pockets with candy
Stuff
Press or force;
Stuff money into an envelope
She thrust the letter into his hand
Stuff
Obstruct;
My nose is all stuffed
Her arteries are blocked
Stuff
Overeat or eat immodestly; make a pig of oneself;
She stuffed herself at the dinner
The kids binged on icecream
Stuff
Treat with grease, fill, and prepare for mounting;
Stuff a bearskin
Stuff
Fill tightly with a material;
Stuff a pillow with feathers
The old lady wants to have her dead poodle stuffed by the taxidermist
Stuff
Fill with a stuffing while cooking;
Have you stuffed the turkey yet?
Common Curiosities
What types of materials are commonly used in construction?
Common construction materials include wood, steel, concrete, and glass.
Is "material" used more in professional contexts than "stuff"?
Yes, "material" is preferred in professional or academic contexts due to its specificity.
What is an example of material used in educational settings?
Educational materials can include textbooks, worksheets, and digital content.
Can "stuff" be used interchangeably with "material"?
No, "stuff" is more informal and less specific than "material."
Can "stuff" refer to a specific type of material?
"Stuff" is too general to refer to a specific material; it usually means any collection of items.
What does "stuff" commonly refer to in everyday language?
"Stuff" can refer to personal belongings, household items, or even abstract concepts, depending on the context.
How does the use of "material" differ in metaphysical discussions?
In metaphysical discussions, "material" contrasts with non-physical concepts like spirit or consciousness.
How does the specificity of "material" benefit scientific discussions?
The specificity of "material" allows for precise communication about properties and applications in scientific contexts.
What are some synonyms for "material"?
Synonyms for "material" include substance, fabric, and matter.
What is meant by the phrase "material world"?
The "material world" refers to the physical, tangible world as opposed to spiritual or intellectual realms.
Can "stuff" be used to describe emotional or intellectual content?
Typically, "stuff" is not used for emotional or intellectual content; it's more for physical items.
How is "material" relevant in the context of arts and crafts?
In arts and crafts, materials like fabric, beads, and paper are chosen for their specific qualities.
What are some synonyms for "stuff"?
Synonyms for "stuff" include things, items, and belongings.
Why might someone choose the word "stuff" over "material" in conversation?
"Stuff" might be chosen for its informal tone and general applicability when specificity is not required.
Is there a way to categorize different types of stuff?
"Stuff" can be categorized broadly, such as household stuff, office stuff, etc., but these categories are generally informal.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
