substance
/ˈsʌb.stəns/ IELTSAcademic
noun
- 1.
The material that something is made of. It can also mean a basic type of matter or a physical thing.
- The table is made of a strong substance.
- Water is a substance that changes form easily.
- 2.
The real or important meaning of something, not just the words or appearance. It is often used in formal writing.
- Her speech had substance, not just style.
- There was little substance in his argument.
- 3.
Importance, value, or serious meaning in a person, idea, or plan.
- The report lacked substance.
- He is a man of substance and good judgment.
Adinary Nuance
Substance is broader than material. Use material for physical stuff, but substance can also mean real meaning or importance. It is more formal than stuff and more abstract than thing. In writing, it often means the important part of an idea or argument.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chất
- Spanish
- sustancia
- Chinese
- 物质
- Japanese
- 物質
- Korean
- 물질
Etymology
It comes from Old French substance, from Latin substantia, meaning “being” or “essence.” The word entered English in the Middle Ages.
Common phrases
a substance ofthe substance of somethingcontrolled substancesubstance abuse
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is substance a formal word?
- Yes, often. It is common in essays, reports, and serious discussion.
- What is the difference between substance and material?
- Material usually means physical matter. Substance can also mean the real meaning or importance of something.
- Can I say 'substance' for an idea?
- Yes. It often means the real value or serious content of an idea or argument.
- Is substance common in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It appears often in academic and formal English, especially in discussions and opinions.