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Synonyms

substantial

American  
[suhb-stan-shuhl] / səbˈstæn ʃəl /

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 British  
/ 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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • nonsubstantial adjective
  • nonsubstantiality noun
  • nonsubstantialness noun
  • presubstantial adjective
  • substantiality noun
  • substantially adverb
  • substantialness noun
  • supersubstantial adjective

Etymology

Origin of substantial

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

But there has been substantial dispersion beneath the surface, Klar noted.

From MarketWatch

But there has been substantial dispersion beneath the surface of the index, Klar noted.

From MarketWatch

But, as in 1979, people who saw substantial inflation may be quick to expect more inflation, and then the Fed will have to react strongly, as it did in 1980.

From The Wall Street Journal

Together, they create a cake that feels balanced — substantial enough to anchor a streusel, light enough to warrant a second slice.

From Salon

The U.S., with its substantial domestic oil production, is unlikely to experience physical shortages in the near term.

From MarketWatch