Question

Which is correct: "material" or "materiel"? Thanks.

2023-06-26

This is what goPenpal answered

The correctness of "material" or "materiel" depends on the context as they have different meanings. "Material" commonly refers to the substance or the things needed for a task, or the topic of discussion. For instance, you may say "I am gathering the material to build a treehouse" or "This is important material for our meeting today."

On the other hand, "materiel" is a term primarily used in a military context, referring to equipment, apparatus, and supplies used by an organization like an army. An example would be "The army's materiel was ready for deployment".

So essentially, if you're constructing something or discussing substance, "material" would be the correct choice. But if you're talking about military equipment and supplies, "materiel" is the way to go. Just remember, "materiel" is the material for the military! Use that little analogy as an easy way to recall which one to use when.

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