ENGLISH
REFERENCE

substantial

adj.
C1 Advanced Oxford US //səbˈstænʃəɫ// UK //səbstˈænʃəl// sub·stan·tial

adj. large in size, value, or importance. You use this to describe something that is big enough to be noticed or to have a real effect.

adj. considerable in importance, value, degree, or amount. Often used to describe physical size or the significance of an abstract concept.


SIMPLE

The company made a substantial profit this year.

CONTEXTUAL

After the storm, the local council had to provide substantial funding to repair the damaged bridge.

COMPLEX

The legal team presented substantial evidence that challenged the witness's credibility, leading the judge to reconsider the initial ruling.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

From Middle English substancial, substantiall, from Old French substanciel, substantiel and its etymon Latin substantiālis.

Usage

Typically precedes the noun it modifies; frequently used in formal or academic contexts to quantify abstract nouns like 'improvement' or 'change'.

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