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   sub·stance

   /ˈsəbstəns/

   noun

   • 1. a particular kind of matter with uniform properties: "a steel tube coated with a waxy substance" Similar materialmatterstuffmediumfabric
   • ▪ an intoxicating, stimulating, or narcotic chemical or drug, especially an illegal one: "he was suspended for using a banned substance"
   • 2. the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence: "proteins compose much of the actual substance of the body" Similar soliditybodycorporealityrealityactualitymaterialityconcretenesstangibilitydensitymassweightshapestructure
   • ▪ the most important or essential part of something; the real or essential meaning: "the substance of the treaty" Similar meaningfulnesssignificanceimportanceimportmomentpowersoundnessvaliditycontentpithmarrowcorebasisfoundationinformal:clout
   • ▪ the subject matter of a text, speech, or work of art, especially as contrasted with the form or style in which it is presented: "the substance of his book was the history of allegorical love literature" Similar contentsubject mattersubjectthemetopictextmessagematerialburdentenoressencequintessenceheartmeatgistdriftsenseimport
   • 3. the quality of being important, valid, or significant: "he had yet to accomplish anything of substance"
   • ▪ the quality of having a solid basis in reality or fact: "the claim has no substance"
   • ▪ the quality of being dependable or stable: "some were inclined to knock her for her lack of substance"
   • ▪ wealth and possessions: "a woman of substance" Similar wealthfortunerichesaffluenceprosperitymoneycapitalmeansresourcesassetspropertyestatespossessions
   • 4. the essential nature underlying phenomena, which is subject to changes and accidents.

   Word Origin Middle English (denoting the essential nature of something): from Old French, from Latin substantia ‘being, essence’, from substant- ‘standing firm’, from the verb substare.

   Scrabble Points: 13

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