Definitions for substance
ˈsʌb stənssub·stance

Princeton's WordNet(3.41 / 17 votes)Rate this definition:

1. substancenoun

   the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists

   "DNA is the substance of our genes"

2. kernel, substance, core, center, centre, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-grittynoun

   the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience

   "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"

3. meaning, substancenoun

   the idea that is intended

   "What is the meaning of this proverb?"

4. substancenoun

   material of a particular kind or constitution

   "the immune response recognizes invading substances"

5. means, substancenoun

   considerable capital (wealth or income)

   "he is a man of means"

6. message, content, subject matter, substancenoun

   what a communication that is about something is about

7. substancenoun

   a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties

   "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"

Wiktionary(3.67 / 3 votes)Rate this definition:

1. substancenoun

   Physical matter; material.

2. substancenoun

   The essential part of anything; the most vital part.

3. substancenoun

   Considerable wealth or resources.

   A man of substance.

4. substancenoun

   Drugs

   substance abuse

5. Etymology: From substance, from substantia, from substans, present active participle of substo, from sub + sto.

Webster Dictionary(4.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Substancenoun

   that which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual; that in which properties inhere; that which is real, in distinction from that which is apparent; the abiding part of any existence, in distinction from any accident; that which constitutes anything what it is; real or existing essence

2. Substancenoun

   the most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything; the main part; essential import; purport

3. Substancenoun

   body; matter; material of which a thing is made; hence, substantiality; solidity; firmness; as, the substance of which a garment is made; some textile fabrics have little substance

4. Substancenoun

   material possessions; estate; property; resources

5. Substancenoun

   same as Hypostasis, 2

6. Substanceverb

   to furnish or endow with substance; to supply property to; to make rich

7. Etymology: [F., fr. L. substantia, fr. substare to be under or present, to stand firm; sub under + stare to stand. See Stand.]

Freebase(1.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Substance

   Substance is a 1987 compilation album by New Order, consisting of all of the band's singles at that point in their 12-inch versions, together with their respective B-side tracks. The then newly-released non-album single "True Faith" is also featured, along with its B-side "1963". The collection was released on vinyl, double CD, double cassette and Digital Audio Tape.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Substance

   sub′stans, n. that in which qualities or attributes exist, the existence to which qualities belong: that which constitutes anything what it is: the essential part: body: matter: property: foundation, ground, confidence. [L. substantia—substāre, to stand under—sub, under, stāre, to stand.]

Matched Categories

1. • Capital
   • Communication
   • Content
   • Idea
   • Physical Entity

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'substance' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4155

2. Nouns Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'substance' in Nouns Frequency: #1238

How to pronounce substance?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say substance in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of substance in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of substance in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of substance in a Sentence

1. Neel Kashkari:

   The Wall Street critics can't argue with me on the substance of too-big-to-fail, so they criticize the messenger, i welcome their criticisms because they are an implicit admission that I am right.

2. Robert Wallack:

   She was running around without clothes on and then she passed out and it was said she passed out from mixing Ambien with alcohol. Our concerns are whether Ms. Frankel may have some type of substance abuse problems so we would ask the court to order drug testing of Ms. Frankel to find out whether that’s an issue.

3. Police Christopher Botsch on Saturday:

   The empty corner tear did NOT contain any illegal substance; however, this type of packaging is a common method for holding illegal drugs.

4. Gustavo Rivera:

   I hear the valid concerns that certain New Yorkers have regarding the increased presence of substance use on our streets and its impact on our communities, that is why it is critical that we move swiftly to open overdose prevention centers, a proven tool in preventing overdose deaths, stopping the spread of disease, providing a safe non-public space for those using drugs and a pathway to recovery.

5. New York Times:

   Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Sanders promise different approaches from Mr. Obama’s, as much in style as in substance, both have suggested they could get more accomplished, though Mrs. Clinton does so in more oblique terms.

Popularity rank by frequency of use