n.
- a particular kind of matter with uniform properties.
▸an intoxicating or narcotic drug.
- the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists.
▸solid basis in reality or fact:
the claim has no substance.
▸dependability or stability.
- the quality of being important, valid, or significant.
▸the most important or essential part or meaning.
▸the subject matter of a text or work of art, especially as contrasted with its form or style.
▸wealth and possessions:
a woman of substance.
- Philosophy the essential nature underlying phenomena, which is subject to changes and accidents.
Phrase
- in substance
essentially.
Etymology
ME: from OFr., from L. substantia ‘being, essence’, from substant-, substare ‘stand firm’.