Broad terms:
* Matter: This is the most general term, encompassing anything that has mass and takes up space.
* Substance: This is similar to matter but often implies a specific type of material with consistent properties.
* Material: This refers to any physical substance that can be used to make something.
* Stuff: This is a more informal term for matter or material.
More specific terms:
* Elements: These are the fundamental building blocks of all matter. There are 118 known elements, with 94 occurring naturally on Earth.
* Compounds: These are formed when two or more different elements combine chemically.
* Minerals: These are naturally occurring solid compounds with a specific chemical composition and crystalline structure.
* Rocks: These are solid aggregates of one or more minerals.
The best word to use depends on the context. For example, if you are discussing the building blocks of the universe, "matter" or "elements" would be appropriate. If you are talking about the materials used to build a house, "materials" or "substances" might be better.