substantial
Americanadjective
-
of ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc..
a substantial sum of money.
-
of a corporeal or material nature; tangible; real.
- Antonyms:
- ethereal, immaterial
-
of solid character or quality; firm, stout, or strong.
a substantial physique.
-
basic or essential; fundamental.
two stories in substantial agreement.
-
wealthy or influential.
one of the substantial men of the town.
-
of real worth, value, or effect.
substantial reasons.
- Synonyms:
- weighty, important, consequential, significant
-
relating to the substance, matter, or material of a thing.
-
of or relating to the essence of a thing.
the substantial parts of the ruling.
-
existing as or being a substance; having independent existence.
a substantial being.
-
Philosophy. relating to or of the nature of substance or reality rather than an accident or attribute.
noun
adjective
-
of a considerable size or value
substantial funds
-
worthwhile; important
a substantial reform
-
having wealth or importance
-
(of food or a meal) sufficient and nourishing
-
solid or strong in construction, quality, or character
a substantial door
-
real; actual; true
the evidence is substantial
-
of or relating to the basic or fundamental substance or aspects of a thing
-
philosophy of or relating to substance rather than to attributes, accidents, or modifications
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
Explanation
Something substantial is large in size, number, or amount: If you want to say someone spent a lot of money without being too specific, you could say they spent a substantial amount of money. The adjective substantial derives from the Latin substantia "substance," which means "stuff." A substantial meal is large enough to satisfy hunger. A substantial structure is strongly made or built. And a substantial man possesses wealth and property. Related to this last sense, "a man of substance" refers to a wealthy man with property.
Vocabulary lists containing substantial
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 2
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The Real Deal: Synonyms for "True"
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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.
She added Canada has already delivered substantial concessions, such as revoking a digital-services tax that garnered bipartisan opposition in Congress, and dropping retaliatory tariffs imposed by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026
Even after you pay capital-gains tax, the net gain will still likely be substantial relative to the tax drag.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 21, 2026
Jones had substantial input into the design of his statue, choosing the pose and offering other guidance.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 21, 2026
"The substantial amount of time that passed between her death and the discovery meant that crucial evidence had degraded or disappeared."
From Barron's • Apr. 20, 2026
“Not a very substantial meal,” said the Humbug, rubbing his eyes, “but quite an attractive one. Perhaps you can suggest something a little more filling.”
From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
