substantial

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

Synonyms

• significant
• major
• important
• historic
• big

Examples of substantial in a Sentence

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

Meanwhile, Google Street View images spanning from 2007-22, reveal substantial exterior modifications made to the home decades after her family acquired it. —Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 23 Oct. 2025

The most substantial filings came from the Internal Revenue Service, which placed three federal tax liens against her between 2015 and 2019, totaling more than $60,000 in unpaid income taxes for tax years 2007 through 2016. —Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 23 Oct. 2025

In the end, the Ninja Foodi Smart XL Grill is a solid little (mostly) smokeless grill for indoor spaces, and my only hesitation with recommending it for apartments would be its substantial footprint. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Oct. 2025

The third quarter did not see substantial costs incurred related to the fire, but the financial disruption of the fire is expected to be seen in fourth quarter reporting. —Olivia Evans, Louisville Courier Journal, 23 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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