matter

that which has mass and occupies space

• “an atom is the smallest indivisible unit of matter”

a vaguely specified concern

• “several matters to attend to”
• “it is none of your affair”
• “things are going well”

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”

a problem

• “is anything the matter?”

(used with negation) having consequence

• “they were friends and it was no matter who won the games”

written works (especially in books or magazines)

• “he always took some reading matter with him on the plane”

have weight; have import, carry weight

• “It does not matter much”