substantial

[ suhb-stan-shuhl ]

adjective

1. of ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc.:

   a substantial sum of money.

2. of a corporeal or material nature; tangible; real.

   Antonyms: ethereal, immaterial

3. of solid character or quality; firm, stout, or strong:

   a substantial physique.

   Synonyms: sturdy, stable

4. basic or essential; fundamental:

   two stories in substantial agreement.

5. wealthy or influential:

   one of the substantial men of the town.

6. of real worth, value, or effect:

   substantial reasons.

   Synonyms: weighty, important, consequential, significant

7. relating to the substance, matter, or material of a thing.
8. of or relating to the essence of a thing:

   the substantial parts of the ruling.

9. existing as or being a substance; having independent existence:

   a substantial being.

10. Philosophy. relating to or of the nature of substance or reality rather than an accident or attribute.

noun

1. something substantial.

substantial

/ səbˌstænʃɪˈælɪtɪ; səbˈstænʃəl /

adjective

1. of a considerable size or value

   substantial funds

2. worthwhile; important

   a substantial reform

3. having wealth or importance
4. (of food or a meal) sufficient and nourishing
5. solid or strong in construction, quality, or character

   a substantial door

6. real; actual; true

   the evidence is substantial

7. of or relating to the basic or fundamental substance or aspects of a thing
8. philosophy of or relating to substance rather than to attributes, accidents, or modifications

Derived Forms

• subˈstantially, adverb
• substantiality, noun

Other Words From

• sub·stan·ti·al·i·ty [s, uh, b-stan-shee-, al, -i-tee], sub·stan·tial·ness noun
• sub·stan·tial·ly adverb
• non·sub·stan·tial adjective
• non·sub·stan·tial·ness noun
• non·sub·stan·ti·al·i·ty noun
• pre·sub·stan·tial adjective
• su·per·sub·stan·tial adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of substantial¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English substancial, from Late Latin substantiālis, equivalent to Latin substanti(a) substance + -ālis -al ¹

Example Sentences

Vehicles fueled by diesel lead to substantial carbon emissions that are challenging to decarbonize.

From Science Daily

But federal officials are expected to provide substantial help with related expenses.

From Los Angeles Times

Within just a few months, they raised substantial funds to support organizations overwhelmed by increased demand for abortion services.

From Salon

But Los Angeles now has a substantial infusion of continuing, dedicated funding to make a dent in homelessness.

From Los Angeles Times

“The destruction is so substantial that it indicates the intention to permanently displace many people,” it warns.

From BBC

Related Words

• big
• consequential
• considerable
• extraordinary
• generous
• hefty
• large
• massive
• meaningful
• serious
• significant
• sizable
• solid
• steady
• strong
• valuable
• vast