/ ˈsʌbstəns; NAmE / noun
1.
[ C ] a type of solid, liquid or gas that has particular qualities :
a chemical / radioactive, etc. substance
banned / illegal substances (= drugs)
a sticky substance
2.
[ U ] the quality of being based on facts or the truth :
It was malicious gossip, completely without substance .
The commission's report gives substance to these allegations.
There is some substance in what he says.
3.
[ U ] the most important or main part of sth :
Love and guilt form the substance of his new book.
I agreed with what she said in substance , though not with every detail.
4.
[ U ] ( formal ) importance
SYN significance :
matters of substance
Nothing of any substance was achieved in the meeting.
•
IDIOMS
- a man / woman of substance
••
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 .