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

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

From Los Angeles Times

"Large funds need substantial, reliable projects to generate returns, but the market may struggle to offer enough of these opportunities, especially in the infrastructure sector," said Jon Greer, head of retirement policy at wealth manager Quilter.

From BBC

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

From BBC

They praised the diversity that peers from other states and countries bring to campus; a few criticized UC for giving substantial raises to chancellors earlier this year while proposing to impose more financial strain on students.

From Los Angeles Times

But here’s the thing: Just because they voted for him doesn’t mean that his policies are going to benefit them in any substantial material way.

From Salon

Related Words

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