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 of substantial

• 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

Someone who has experienced a substantial or unexplained decline in mobility should bring it up with their healthcare provider to see if this is due to a reversible underlying cause. — Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026

While the good-paying white-collar jobs in the ‘burbs are getting slashed, the substantial workforce Capital One inherited from Discover in the city of Chicago largely has been spared. — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2026

Given the moon's lack of a substantial atmosphere, there is no air resistance to slow debris down. — Leonard David, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026

On top of the congestion problem, the Strait of Hormuz disruption is also forcing carriers to rely on more expensive alternative routings and land bridges, tacking on substantial operational costs. — Glenn Taylor, Footwear News, 14 Aug. 2026

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