substance

substance

noun

Definition of SUBSTANCE

1

the basic elements from which something can be developed <many thought that the mayor's speech lacked substance because specific proposals for solving the city's problems were few>

Synonyms material, raw material, stuff, substance, timber

Related Words possibility, potential, potentiality; matter, metal

2

the quality or qualities that make a thing what it is <tireless caring and nurturing that was the very substance of maternal love>

Synonyms being, essentiality, nature, quiddity, quintessence, soul, stuff, substance

Related Words heart, spirit; alpha and omega, center, core, keynote, marrow, pith, seat; embodiment, epitome, incarnation, manifestation, personification; aspect, attribute, feature, property; gist, kernel, nub

3

the total of one's money and property <measure the worth of a person not by his earthly substance but by his good deeds>

Synonyms assets, capital, fortune, means, opulence, riches, substance, wherewithal, worth

Related Words belongings, chattels, effects, holdings, paraphernalia, possessions, things; bankroll, deep pockets, finances, funds, money, wallet; abundance, affluence, prosperity, success; treasure, valuables; accession, acquisition, personal property, personalty, property; nest egg, reserve, resources, savings, treasury

Near Antonyms debts, liabilities; indebtedness

4

one that has a real and independent existence <the question of whether the soul is a substance entirely independent of the body>

Synonyms being, commodity, existent, individual, individuality, integer, object, reality, something, substance, thing

Related Words body, subject; material, matter, quantity, stuff

Near Antonyms nonentity