material girl: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial; often journalistic or conversational. Can be used humorously, critically, or descriptively.
Quick answer
What does “material girl” mean?
A woman who places great importance on money, possessions, and physical comfort.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who places great importance on money, possessions, and physical comfort; a person, typically female, who prioritizes wealth and luxury.
A cultural archetype or label describing someone whose values and lifestyle are centered on acquiring and displaying material wealth. It is strongly associated with consumerism, high fashion, and social status. The term is frequently used to critique perceived superficiality or greed, though it can also be used self-descriptively or in a playful, non-judgmental way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood and used similarly in both varieties. Minor differences may exist in associated collocations or media references.
Connotations
Slightly more likely to be used in a critical, class-conscious context in UK English. In US English, it may have stronger associations with celebrity culture and the 'American Dream' of wealth acquisition.
Frequency
Comparable low frequency in both. Slightly higher in US media due to the song's origin.
Grammar
How to Use “material girl” in a Sentence
[Subject] is/acts like a material girl.She has a material girl attitude.They labelled her a material girl.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “material girl” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She doesn't just want a nice life; she's determined to material-girl her way to the top.
American English
- Stop material-girling and think about what actually matters.
adverb
British English
- She shopped material-girlishly, grabbing the most expensive bag first.
American English
- He lived material-girl-adjacent, always chasing the latest tech.
adjective
British English
- Her material-girl aspirations were evident in her Instagram feed.
American English
- He was tired of the material-girl scene in Los Angeles.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Potentially in marketing or sociology discussing consumer behavior.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in cultural studies, sociology, or gender studies papers analyzing consumerism and identity.
Everyday
Most common. Used in conversation, social media, and lifestyle journalism to describe someone's priorities.
Technical
Not used.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “material girl”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “material girl”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “material girl”
- Using it to describe a girl who is 'physical' or 'tangible' (the adjective 'material' in other senses).
- Applying it to men without note (though 'material boy' is sometimes used analogously).
- Confusing it with 'career woman' – a material girl prioritizes the *fruits* of wealth, not necessarily the work to earn it.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not always. While often used critically, it can be neutral or even celebratory in contexts embracing wealth, fashion, or ambition (e.g., 'she's a proud material girl'). Tone and context are key.
It's unusual. The term is gendered. For men, terms like 'material guy', 'high roller', or simply 'materialistic' are more common. Using it for a man is often deliberately humorous or subversive.
A 'gold-digger' specifically seeks a romantic partner for their money. A 'material girl' prioritizes wealth and possessions in general, which may or may not involve seeking a rich partner. 'Gold-digger' is almost always an insult.
The phrase existed before, but it entered global popular culture with Madonna's 1984 hit song 'Material Girl', which cemented its association with 1980s consumerism and a specific, glamorous image.
A woman who places great importance on money, possessions, and physical comfort.
Material girl is usually informal, colloquial; often journalistic or conversational. can be used humorously, critically, or descriptively. in register.
Material girl: in British English it is pronounced /məˈtɪə.ri.əl ɡɜːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈtɪr.i.əl ɡɝːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Living in a material world (from the song)”
- “Champagne taste on a beer budget (related concept)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of MADONNA's song 'Material Girl' (1984) – the classic example. The 'material' is what you can touch and buy (clothes, cars, jewellery), not emotions or ideas.
Conceptual Metaphor
PERSON IS A CONSUMER / VALUES ARE PHYSICAL OBJECTS / LOVE/SUCCESS IS WEALTH
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'material girl' LEAST likely to be used?