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Materiality: meaning, definitions and examples

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materiality

 

[məˌtɪərɪˈælɪti ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

business

The quality or state of being material or substantial. In accounting, materiality refers to the significance of an item or event in relation to the financial statements. It is used to determine whether an item should be disclosed or accounted for separately.

Synonyms

importance, significance, substantiality.

Examples of usage

  • The auditor considered the materiality of the misstatement before issuing the final report.
  • Materiality plays a crucial role in determining the financial reporting requirements.
Context #2 | Noun

law

The relevance or importance of evidence in a legal proceeding. Materiality is used to assess whether certain evidence is significant enough to influence the outcome of a case.

Synonyms

importance, relevance, significance.

Examples of usage

  • The lawyer argued that the evidence presented was of little materiality to the case.
  • The judge instructed the jury on the concept of materiality in evaluating the evidence.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'materialis', meaning 'pertaining to matter or substance'.
  • It was first used in English during the late 15th century, primarily in philosophical and legal contexts.

Philosophy

  • Philosophers have debated the role of physical objects versus ideas, questioning how material things affect our understanding of reality.
  • Materiality plays a crucial role in existentialism, as it ties into discussions about what is truly 'real' in the human experience.

Art

  • In contemporary art, materiality refers to the choice of materials used by an artist, as this can convey deeper meanings in their work.
  • Artists use various materials to express different concepts, suggesting that the substance of their work is as important as the idea behind it.

Economics

  • In finance, materiality is a principle that determines how much impact a piece of information has on investor decisions.
  • Businesses must assess materiality to comply with regulations and improve transparency in their financial reporting.

Psychology

  • Research in psychology explores how tangible items can influence human behavior, suggesting that our attachment to material things can shape our identity.
  • Material possessions often reflect personal values and social status, impacting how individuals perceive themselves and others.

Translations

Translations of the word "materiality" in other languages:

🇵🇹 materialidade

🇮🇳 भौतिकता

🇩🇪 Materialität

🇮🇩 materialitas

🇺🇦 матеріальність

🇵🇱 materialność

🇯🇵 物質性

🇫🇷 matérialité

🇪🇸 materialidad

🇹🇷 maddi varlık

🇰🇷 물질성

🇸🇦 مادية

🇨🇿 materialita

🇸🇰 materiálnosť

🇨🇳 实质性

🇸🇮 materialnost

🇮🇸 efnisleiki

🇰🇿 материалдылық

🇬🇪 მატერიალურობა

🇦🇿 maddilik

🇲🇽 materialidad

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,754, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.