Matter vs. Matters — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 4, 2024
Matter involves physical substance or importance, while matters refer to individual subjects or situations needing attention.
Difference Between Matter and Matters
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Matter is a term used to describe physical substances that occupy space and have mass. It encompasses everything around us that is tangible and can be perceived through our senses. On the other hand, "matters" often refers to topics, subjects, or situations that are of importance or interest and require consideration or action.
In physics, matter is classified into various states, such as solid, liquid, gas, and plasma, based on its properties and the conditions it is subjected to. Whereas, when we speak of "matters," we are usually referring to affairs or concerns in personal, social, or business contexts that need to be addressed or resolved.
Matter can also refer to the significance or importance of something, highlighting its relevance or impact in a given context. While "matters" in plural form, emphasizes the various aspects or issues within a particular area of concern, suggesting a multiplicity of important subjects or affairs.
The study of matter is a fundamental aspect of the physical sciences, aiming to understand the composition, properties, and behaviors of physical substances. Conversely, discussing matters often involves deliberation or debate in more abstract or non-physical domains, such as ethics, law, and social policy.
While matter is a concept that is universally applicable across different fields of science, including physics and chemistry, "matters" is a more flexible term that can be adapted to any number of contexts, indicating the diverse issues or topics under consideration in different fields such as politics, education, and personal relationships.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Physical substance that occupies space and has mass.
Subjects or situations of importance needing consideration.
Context
Science, particularly physics and chemistry.
Various, including personal, social, and business contexts.
Singular/Plural
Singular noun.
Plural noun.
Usage
Refers to the material aspects of the universe.
Refers to issues, affairs, or topics of interest.
Connotation
Neutral, focusing on physical properties.
Can imply concern or need for attention in various contexts.
Compare with Definitions
Matter
Importance.
The matter of privacy is crucial in the digital age.
Matters
Issues Needing Resolution.
Legal matters often require expert advice.
Matter
Physical Substance.
Water is a form of matter that can exist in three states. solid, liquid, and gas.
Matters
Concerns.
Community matters are at the heart of local governance.
Matter
Quantifiable.
The matter making up the Earth's atmosphere is critical for life.
Matters
Subjects of Interest.
Environmental matters have become central to international politics.
Matter
Scientific Study.
The study of matter is fundamental to understanding the physical world.
Matters
Topics of Discussion.
The conference will cover matters related to health and wellness.
Matter
Universal.
Dark matter is a mysterious aspect of the universe that physicists are trying to understand.
Matters
Important Affairs.
Financial matters are a significant concern for most households.
Matter
In classical physics and general chemistry, matter is any substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume. All everyday objects that can be touched are ultimately composed of atoms, which are made up of interacting subatomic particles, and in everyday as well as scientific usage, "matter" generally includes atoms and anything made up of them, and any particles (or combination of particles) that act as if they have both rest mass and volume.
Matters
That which occupies space and has mass; physical substance.
Matter
Physical substance in general, as distinct from mind and spirit; (in physics) that which occupies space and possesses rest mass, especially as distinct from energy
The structure and properties of matter
Matters
A type of such substance
Organic matter.
Matter
A subject or situation under consideration
Financial matters
A great deal of work was done on this matter
Matters
Discharge or waste, such as pus or feces, from a living organism.
Matter
The reason for distress or a problem
What's the matter?
Matters
(Philosophy) In Aristotelian and Scholastic use, that which is in itself undifferentiated and formless and which, as the subject of change and development, receives form and becomes substance.
Matter
The substance or content of a text as distinct from its style or form.
Matters
The substance of thought or expression as opposed to the manner in which it is stated or conveyed.
Matter
Be important or significant
It doesn't matter what the guests wear
What did it matter to them?
Matters
A subject of concern, feeling, or action
Matters of foreign policy.
A personal matter.
Matter
(of a wound) secrete or discharge pus.
Matters
Trouble or difficulty
What's the matter with your car?.
Matter
That which occupies space and has mass; physical substance.
Matters
An approximated quantity, amount, or extent
The construction will last a matter of years.
Matter
A type of such substance
Organic matter.
Matters
Something printed or otherwise set down in writing
Reading matter.
Matter
Discharge or waste, such as pus or feces, from a living organism.
Matters
To be of importance
"Love is most nearly itself / When here and now cease to matter" (T.S. Eliot).
Matter
(Philosophy) In Aristotelian and Scholastic use, that which is in itself undifferentiated and formless and which, as the subject of change and development, receives form and becomes substance.
Matters
Plural of matter
Matter
The substance of thought or expression as opposed to the manner in which it is stated or conveyed.
Matter
A subject of concern, feeling, or action
Matters of foreign policy.
A personal matter.
Matter
Trouble or difficulty
What's the matter with your car?.
Matter
An approximated quantity, amount, or extent
The construction will last a matter of years.
Matter
Something printed or otherwise set down in writing
Reading matter.
Matter
To be of importance
"Love is most nearly itself / When here and now cease to matter" (T.S. Eliot).
Matter
(uncountable) Material; substance.
Matter
(physics) The basic structural component of the universe, usually having mass and volume.
Matter
(physics) Matter made up of normal particles, not antiparticles.
Matter
A kind of substance.
Vegetable matter
Matter
Material, especially in books or magazines.
He always took some reading matter with him on the plane.
Matter
(philosophy) Aristotelian: undeveloped potentiality subject to change and development; formlessness. Matter receives form, and becomes substance.
Matter
An affair, condition, or subject, especially one of concern or (especially when preceded by the) one that is problematic.
Is much the matter with the old plan?
Something is the matter with him.
State matters
Matter
An approximate amount or extent.
I stayed for a matter of months.
Matter
(obsolete) essence; pith; embodiment.
Matter
(obsolete) (The) inducing cause or reason, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing.
Matter
To be important.
The only thing that matters to Jim is being rich.
Sorry for pouring ketchup on your clean white shirt! - Oh, don't worry, it does not matter.
Matter
To care about, to mind; to find important.
Matter
To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate.
Matter
That of which anything is composed; constituent substance; material; the material or substantial part of anything; the constituent elements of conception; that into which a notion may be analyzed; the essence; the pith; the embodiment.
He is the matter of virtue.
Matter
That of which the sensible universe and all existent bodies are composed; anything which has extension, occupies space, or is perceptible by the senses; body; substance.
Matter
That with regard to, or about which, anything takes place or is done; the thing aimed at, treated of, or treated; subject of action, discussion, consideration, feeling, complaint, legal action, or the like; theme.
Son of God, Savior of men! Thy nameShall be the copious matter of my song.
Every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge.
Matter
That which one has to treat, or with which one has to do; concern; affair; business.
To help the matter, the alchemists call in many vanities out of astrology.
Some young female seems to have carried matters so far, that she is ripe for asking advice.
Matter
Affair worthy of account; thing of consequence; importance; significance; moment; - chiefly in the phrases what matter? no matter, and the like.
A prophet some, and some a poet, cry;No matter which, so neither of them lie.
Matter
Inducing cause or occasion, especially of anything disagreeable or distressing; difficulty; trouble.
And this is the matter why interpreters upon that passage in Hosea will not consent it to be a true story, that the prophet took a harlot to wife.
Matter
Amount; quantity; portion; space; - often indefinite.
Away he goes, . . . a matter of seven miles.
I have thoughts to tarry a small matter.
No small matter of British forces were commanded over sea the year before.
Matter
Substance excreted from living animal bodies; that which is thrown out or discharged in a tumor, boil, or abscess; pus; purulent substance.
Matter
That which is permanent, or is supposed to be given, and in or upon which changes are effected by psychological or physical processes and relations; - opposed to form.
Matter
Written manuscript, or anything to be set in type; copy; also, type set up and ready to be used, or which has been used, in printing.
Waller, with Sir William Balfour, exceeded in horse, but were, upon the whole matter, equal in foot.
Matter
To be of importance; to import; to signify.
It matters not how they were called.
Matter
To form pus or matter, as an abscess; to maturate.
Matter
To regard as important; to take account of; to care for.
He did not matter cold nor hunger.
Matter
That which has mass and occupies space;
An atom is the smallest indivisible unit of matter
Matter
A vaguely specified concern;
Several matters to attend to
It is none of your affair
Things are going well
Matter
Some situation or event that is thought about;
He kept drifting off the topic
He had been thinking about the subject for several years
It is a matter for the police
Matter
A problem;
Is anything the matter?
Matter
(used with negation) having consequence;
They were friends and it was no matter who won the games
Matter
Written works (especially in books or magazines);
He always took some reading matter with him on the plane
Matter
Have weight; have import, carry weight;
It does not matter much
Common Curiosities
Can the term "matter" also imply importance?
Yes, "matter" can denote the significance or importance of something in a given context.
How do matters differ from matter?
"Matters" refer to subjects or situations requiring attention, unlike "matter," which is about physical substances.
Is matter always visible?
Not always; some forms of matter, like air or gases, are invisible to the naked eye but still occupy space and have mass.
How do scientists study matter?
Scientists use various methods, including experiments and observations, to study the properties and behaviors of matter.
Is there a limit to what can be considered matter?
Anything that has mass and takes up space is considered matter, so its definition is quite broad in a physical sense.
How do businesses handle matters?
Businesses often have specific processes or departments to manage various matters, from financial to operational.
Are matters always tangible?
No, matters often relate to abstract issues or topics that are important but not physically tangible.
Why are matters important in everyday life?
Matters concern issues or affairs that directly impact personal, social, or professional aspects of life.
What is matter?
Matter is anything that occupies space and has mass, including solids, liquids, gases, and plasma.
How does physics relate to matter?
Physics studies the properties, behavior, and interactions of matter in the universe.
Can matters be resolved?
Yes, many matters can be addressed or resolved through discussion, action, or intervention.
What makes a matter significant?
Its impact or relevance in a particular context, such as its effect on people, the environment, or outcomes.
Can matters include personal issues?
Yes, personal concerns or issues are often referred to as matters needing attention or resolution.
Do matters always require action?
Often, but not always; some matters may just need consideration or discussion.
Is understanding matters important for everyone?
Yes, being informed about and understanding matters of concern can lead to better decision-making and awareness in society.
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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
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.