substantial

adjective

sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl How to pronounce substantial (audio)
1
a
: consisting of or relating to substance
b
: not imaginary or illusory : real, true
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 noun
substantially adverb
substantialness noun

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 The search, while detailing how Garvey owed substantial amounts across California, did not always say whether the lien has been paid or released or is still open. David Lightman, Sacramento Bee, 23 Mar. 2024 The divorce was officially dismissed in February 2023, according to court records viewed by PEOPLE, and Audrey says now that she’s seen substantial change in the man who raised her. Rachel Desantis, Peoplemag, 21 Mar. 2024 Mangroves exhibit a remarkable ability to capture and retain substantial amounts of carbon, up to ten times more than a tropical rainforest. Serge Dedina, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Mar. 2024 Despite substantial investment measures such as cloud brightening remain controversial. Sabrina Weiss, WIRED, 20 Mar. 2024 For example, fill a blank wall with one substantial piece of abstract art, rather than an entire gallery of frames. Jessica Bennett, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Mar. 2024 Wisconsin has secured even less at $2 billion, while Michigan holds a substantial $22 billion, according to White House data. Akayla Gardner, Fortune, 20 Mar. 2024 Nevertheless, the number of artists who made what could be called a substantial amount of royalties on the platform continues to grow. Glenn Peoples, Billboard, 19 Mar. 2024 Making the rich pay their taxes and cracking down on offshore capital would unlock substantial financial resources that could be put to work addressing global needs and helping restore people’s faith that democracies can deliver. Bernie Sanders, Foreign Affairs, 18 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'substantial.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of substantial was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near substantial

Cite this Entry

“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substantial. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

substantial

adjective
sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan-chəl How to pronounce substantial (audio)
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 noun
substantially adverb

Legal Definition

substantial

adjective
sub·​stan·​tial səb-ˈstan-chəl How to pronounce substantial (audio)
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 crimeW. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
2
: considerable in quantity : significantly great
identification of serious and substantial failure to performU.S. Code
compare de minimis
substantiality noun
substantially adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on substantial

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