ENGLISH
REFERENCE

substantial

adj.
US //səbˈstænʃəɫ// UK //səbstˈænʃəl// sub·stan·tial
  1. 1 large in amount or size (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    large in size, value, or importance.

    considerable in importance, value, degree, or amount.

    Example

    The company made a substantial profit this year after cutting costs.

    Example

    The research team received a substantial grant from the government, allowing them to expand their study into renewable energy sources over the next decade.
  2. 2 solidly built (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    strong and well-made.

    firmly constructed; sturdy and unlikely to break.

    Example

    They live in a substantial stone house that was built over a century ago.

    Example

    The architect insisted on using substantial timber beams to ensure the roof could withstand the weight of heavy winter snowfall.
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  1. 3 filling and nourishing (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Cooking

    describing a meal that is large and makes you feel full.

    providing enough nourishment to be filling; satisfying in quantity and quality.

    Example

    After a long day of hiking, we sat down to a substantial dinner of beef stew.

    Example

    The hotel provides a substantial breakfast buffet, designed to sustain guests who plan to spend the entire day exploring the city on foot.
  2. 4 real or actual (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Academic Formal

    real and existing in the physical world, rather than just an idea.

    having a physical existence; not imaginary or illusory.

    Example

    The police need substantial evidence before they can make an arrest.

    Example

    The philosopher argued that while ideas are powerful, they lack the substantial nature of the physical objects we interact with daily.
Origin

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

Word family

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