# substance

/ˈsəbstəns/ (US) · /sˈʌbstəns/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/substance
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. physical material

noun · CEFR B1

a particular type of solid, liquid, or gas.

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

- The scientists found a strange sticky substance on the surface of the rock.
- The laboratory analysis revealed an unknown chemical substance that had contaminated the local water supply during the flood.

### 2. the core meaning

noun · CEFR B2

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

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

- I agree with the substance of his argument, even if I don't like his tone.
- While the presentation was visually impressive, the board felt it lacked the substance required to justify such a significant investment.

### 3. solidity or importance

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being real, solid, or important.

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

- There is no substance to the rumours that the shop is closing.
- The allegations lacked substance, as the witness was unable to provide any concrete evidence to support her claims.

### 4. drugs

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

a drug, especially one that is illegal or harmful.

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

- He was arrested for illegal substance abuse after the party.
- The clinic provides support for individuals struggling with substance dependence and related mental health issues.

### 5. wealth or property

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

money, possessions, or land.

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

- She was known in the town as a woman of substance and influence.
- The family lost much of their substance during the economic depression, forced to sell their ancestral estate to settle debts.

### 6. philosophical essence

noun · CEFR C2 · Academic · Technical

the basic reality of something that does not change.

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

- The philosopher argued about whether the mind is a different substance from the body.
- In Aristotelian logic, substance is that which is neither asserted of a subject nor exists in a subject.

## Examples

- The police found a strange white substance in the car.
- While the speech was very long and entertaining, it lacked any real substance regarding policy changes.
- The philosopher argued that while the appearance of an object may change over time, its underlying substance remains constant and identifiable.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.