Adjectives of material describe what something is made of. They tell us the substance or physical matter used to create an object and answer the question, “What is it made of?”
These adjectives help specify the nature of an item—whether it’s metal, fabric, wood, plastic, or something else.
Examples:
- He wore a leather jacket despite the heat.
- They used wooden crates to carry the fruit.
- The floor was covered with a thick woolen rug.
Adjectives of material are usually placed before the noun and often follow other adjectives like size or shape in a descriptive phrase.
Types of Material Adjectives: Natural, Synthetic, and Mixed
Adjectives of material can be grouped based on the type of substance they describe. These material-based terms are a subset of descriptive adjectives, as they help define and specify the nature of a noun.
Natural Material Adjectives
These refer to substances found in nature or minimally processed.
Examples: wooden, cotton, woolen, silk, leather
Example: She wrapped herself in a woolen blanket during the storm.
Synthetic Material Adjectives
These describe man-made or industrial materials.
Examples: plastic, nylon, polyester, rubber, acrylic
Example: The chairs were made of plastic and stacked in the corner.
Mixed or Processed Material Adjectives
These refer to combinations or modified forms of natural and synthetic materials.
Examples: blended, laminated, coated, metallic, fiberglass
Example: The helmet had a fiberglass shell for extra protection.
These adjectives help clarify not just what an item is, but also how durable, flexible, or suitable it may be for a specific use.
List of 50 Adjectives of Material in English
| wooden | cotton | woolen | silk | leather |
| plastic | nylon | polyester | rubber | acrylic |
| glass | metal | iron | bronze | steel |
| ceramic | clay | stone | marble | linen |
| denim | bamboo | paper | cork | charcoal |
| fiberglass | carbon | resin | latex | concrete |
| straw | hemp | velvet | fleece | fur |
| tin | gold | silver | bronzed | coated |
| woven | blended | padded | laminated | foamed |
| metallic | reinforced | upholstered | quilted | plated |
Examples of Adjectives of Material in Sentences
The table was made from wooden planks salvaged from an old barn.
She wore a soft cotton dress that was perfect for summer.
He wrapped himself in a thick woolen shawl.
The gift was tied with a silk ribbon in deep red.
His shoes were crafted from genuine leather.
The chairs were molded from durable plastic.
She packed her clothes in a lightweight nylon backpack.
The curtain was made of polyester fabric that resisted wrinkles.
The ball bounced sharply off the rubber surface.
They installed a sleek acrylic shelf in the kitchen.
The vase was blown from clear glass.
The sculpture was carved from solid metal.
The fence was reinforced with iron bars.
The statue had a warm bronze glow under the lights.
The frame was built from steel for added strength.
They drank tea from ceramic cups with floral patterns.
The pottery was shaped using local clay.
The path was paved with large stone slabs.
The countertop was finished in polished marble.
She folded a set of linen napkins for the table.
FAQs About Adjectives of Material
What is an adjective of material?
An adjective of material describes what something is made of, like wood, leather, or plastic. It answers the question “What is it made from?”
Are adjectives of material capitalized?
No, not usually. Material adjectives like glass, cotton, or metal are common adjectives, so they are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.
Can adjectives of material be used with other descriptive adjectives?
Yes. They are often used alongside size, color, or shape adjectives.
Example: He bought a small black leather bag.
In such phrases, the material adjective typically comes last.
Are material adjectives countable?
No. They describe the substance, not the quantity. You wouldn’t say “two leathers”—instead, you’d say “two leather jackets.”