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, making, timberRelated 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, essenceRelated 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, wealth, wherewithal, worthRelated 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, treasuryNear 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, entity, thingRelated Words body, subject; material, matter, quantity, stuffNear Antonyms nonentity