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

• big
• consequential
• earth-shattering
• earthshaking
• eventful
• historic
• important
• major
• material
• meaningful
• momentous
• monumental
• much
• significant
• tectonic
• weighty

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

Presenting evidence to a grand jury investigating Mr. Schumer would be a substantial escalation of Mr. Martin’s efforts. —Glenn Thrush, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2025

The price hikes from Mr. Trump's tariffs are likely to be substantial enough that some car buyers might balk at the higher costs, according to AEG CEO Patrick Anderson. —Megan Cerullo, CBS News, 3 Mar. 2025

While upfront investments may be substantial, labor savings, increased throughput and error reduction typically deliver long-term benefits. —Janakiram Msv, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025

The second run of the breakout Prime Video young adult series wrapped filming in September last year, and with Season 1 launching in May 2024 the gap between the two will be relatively substantial. —Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 3 Mar. 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