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

Given the cost and challenges of permanent geological CO2 storage, achieving Geological Net Zero will require a substantial reduction in fossil fuel use.

From Science Daily

“The substantial number of U.S.-trained professors in China has allowed Chinese grad students to stay home and still benefit from U.S. academic pedagogy and research networks,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

The industry's policy agenda and wish list are substantial.

From Salon

But a third consecutive poor finish combined with the arrival of a new university president could mean that if the Trojans don’t make substantial improvements next season, removing him becomes priceless.

From Los Angeles Times

In Boulter and Raducanu, Britain have pedigree which ranks among the most substantial in the competition - particularly in their half of the draw.

From BBC

Related Words

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