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

Other Word Forms

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

The states’ lawsuit said other blue states saw even more dramatic cuts, with Illinois seeing a 69% reduction and New York receiving a 79% reduction, while red states saw substantial funding increases.

From Los Angeles Times

If the grassroots action is sustained and substantial, if it really is inconvenient enough, he might indeed have to deal.

From Salon

Officials hope to obtain substantial reimbursement from federal disaster relief funds and insurance.

From Los Angeles Times

People with high incomes or substantial savings have clear advantages, but that’s not all that matters.

From Los Angeles Times

He also developed a substantial practice overseas, especially in China, where he designed buildings that managed to be both gargantuan and frisky.

From BBC

Related Words

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