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n. 1. a. That which has mass and occupies space; matter. b. A material of a particular kind or constitution. c. A drug, chemical, or other material (such as glue) that one is dependent on or uses habitually and that is often illegal or subject to government regulation: Which substance was he abusing? 2. The most important part or idea of what is said or written; the essence or gist: the substance of the report. 3. a. That which is real or practical in quality or character; practical value: a plan without substance. b. Significance or importance: Did he accomplish anything of substance? 4. Density; body: Air has little substance. 5. Material possessions; goods; wealth: a person of substance. [Middle English, from Old French, from Latin substantia, from substāns, substant-, present participle of substāre, to be present : sub-, sub- + stāre, to stand; see stā- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] Synonyms: substance2, core, gist, purport These nouns denote the essential import or significance of something spoken or written: the substance of his complaint; the core of a scientific article; the gist of her argument; the purport of a document. |
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