sub ‧ stan ‧ tial S3 W2 /səbˈstænʃ ə l/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ substance , ↑ substantiation , ↑ substantive ; adjective : ↑ substantial ≠ ↑ insubstantial , ↑ substantive ; verb : ↑ substantiate ; adverb : ↑ substantially ]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Late Latin ; Origin: substantialis , from Latin substantia ; ⇨ ↑ substance ]
1 . large in amount or number SYN considerable OPP insubstantial :
We have the support of a substantial number of parents.
a substantial salary
a substantial breakfast
The document requires substantial changes.
2 . [only before noun] large and strongly made OPP insubstantial :
a substantial piece of furniture
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THESAURUS
▪ big :
a big city
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a big guy
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a big mistake
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Lack of funding is the biggest problem.
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Getting a car has made a big difference to my life.
▪ large a slightly more formal word than big , used to describe objects and amounts:
a large bowl
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Large areas of the forest have been destroyed.
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The museum attracts a large number of visitors.
▪ major [only before noun] big and important:
Pollution is a major problem.
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There has been a major change in government policy.
▪ considerable/substantial quite big – used especially about amounts:
They have spent a considerable amount of money on the project.
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A substantial amount of heat is lost through the windows.
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He had a considerable influence on young musicians.