ENGLISH
REFERENCE

substance

n.
US //ˈsəbstəns// UK //sˈʌbstəns// sub·stance
  1. 1 physical material (n.)
    B1 Intermediate Science

    a particular type of solid, liquid, or gas.

    a physical material or matter with specific properties. Often used in scientific contexts to describe elements or compounds.

    Example

    The scientists found a strange sticky substance on the surface of the rock.

    Example

    The laboratory analysis revealed an unknown chemical substance that had contaminated the local water supply during the flood.
  2. 2 the core meaning (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the most important part or the real meaning of what someone says or writes.

    the essential part, core meaning, or most significant aspect of a piece of communication or thought.

    Example

    I agree with the substance of his argument, even if I don't like his tone.

    Example

    While the presentation was visually impressive, the board felt it lacked the substance required to justify such a significant investment.
Show 4 more sensesShow fewer
  1. 3 solidity or importance (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the quality of being real, solid, or important.

    the quality of having a solid basis in reality or being important and meaningful.

    Example

    There is no substance to the rumours that the shop is closing.

    Example

    The allegations lacked substance, as the witness was unable to provide any concrete evidence to support her claims.
  2. 4 drugs (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Medicine

    a drug, especially one that is illegal or harmful.

    a chemical or drug, particularly one that is subject to legal restrictions or associated with addiction.

    Example

    He was arrested for illegal substance abuse after the party.

    Example

    The clinic provides support for individuals struggling with substance dependence and related mental health issues.
  3. 5 wealth or property (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Literary

    money, possessions, or land.

    material possessions, wealth, or property. Often used in the phrase 'a person of substance'.

    Example

    She was known in the town as a woman of substance and influence.

    Example

    The family lost much of their substance during the economic depression, forced to sell their ancestral estate to settle debts.
  4. 6 philosophical essence (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Academic Technical Philosophy

    the basic reality of something that does not change.

    the underlying reality or essence of an object that exists independently of its properties.

    Example

    The philosopher argued about whether the mind is a different substance from the body.

    Example

    In Aristotelian logic, substance is that which is neither asserted of a subject nor exists in a subject.
Origin

Inherited from Middle English substance, from Old French substance, from Latin substantia (“substance, essence”), from substāns, present active participle of substō (“exist”, literally “stand under”), from sub + stō (“stand”). Displaced native Old English andweorc.

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference