substantial

1 of 2

adjective

sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl 

1

a

: consisting of or relating to substance

b

: not imaginary or illusory : real, true

c

: important, essential

2

: ample to satisfy and nourish : full

a substantial meal

3

a

: possessed of means : well-to-do

b

: considerable in quantity : significantly great

earned a substantial wage

4

: firmly constructed : sturdy

a substantial house

5

: being largely but not wholly that which is specified

a substantial lie

substantial noun

substantiality

səb-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

substantially

səb-ˈstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē 

adverb

substantialness

səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl-nəs 

noun

substantialness

2 of 2

noun

sub·​stan·​tial·​ness -chəlnə̇s 

plural -es

: substantiality

Synonyms of substantial

Adjective

• significant
• major
• important
• historic
• big

Examples of substantial in a Sentence

Adjective

A substantial number of people commute to work each day.

Activities like that pose a substantial risk of injury.

She purchased her tickets at a substantial discount.

Only the buildings that were constructed of more substantial materials survived the earthquake.

I was hoping that they would serve us something more substantial than wine and cheese.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The original plan changed because of substantial delays caused by global conflicts and suppliers redirecting their resources towards military products, including drones and missiles. — New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2026

On screen, the look is styled with a substantial diamond necklace, recalling the magnificent, million dollar Cartier diamond that Taylor also wore to Princess Grace’s party. — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026

Seattle’s extra rest, home field and strong four-man pass rush are substantial concerns, particularly with Kansas City missing Rashee Rice and Jaylon Moore. — Dan Zaksheske Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Oct. 2026

And the expansion of the IRL Economy, just like the AI buildout, will require substantial capital to build and modernize venues, bring successful concepts to new markets and create entirely new offerings. — Davis Noell, Fortune, 25 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for substantial

• circumstantial
• insubstantial
• unsubstantial

Kids Definition

substantial

adjective

sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan-chəl 

1

a

: consisting of or relating to substance : material

b

: not imaginary : real

the substantial world

c

: important sense 1, essential

substantial differences

2

: enough to satisfy and nourish

a substantial meal

3

a

: prosperous sense 1

a substantial farmer

b

: considerable in quantity : significantly large

a substantial increase

4

: firmly constructed

a substantial building

substantiality

-ˌstan-chē-ˈal-ət-ē 

noun

substantially

-ˈstanch-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Legal Definition

substantial

adjective

sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan-chəl 

1

a

: of or relating to substance

b

: not illusory : having merit

failed to raise a substantial constitutional claim

c

: having importance or significance : material

a substantial step had not been taken toward commission of the crime

—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.

2

: considerable in quantity : significantly great

identification of serious and substantial failure to perform

—U.S. Code

compare de minimis

substantiality

-ˌstan-chē-ˈa-lə-tē 

noun

substantially adverb