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substance

/ˈsʌbstəns/

When referring to a chemical or physical material, "substance" is usually countable (e.g., "a toxic substance"). When talking about the core meaning or essential quality of an argument or speech, it is typically uncountable (e.g., "the argument lacks substance"). The phrase "people of substance" is a formal way to describe individuals who are wealthy or have high social standing.

💬Casual Conversation

🎬Tuesday afternoon, Chloe is in the library while Ryan is at home gaming.
Chloe Smith

This whole thesis is just fluff. There's zero substance to my argument.

Chloe Smith
Ryan
Ryan

bet. just wing it lol

💡
Chloe uses 'substance' to mean the essential core or meaningful content of her academic work. Ryan responds with 'bet' (slang for 'I agree' or 'alright') and suggests she 'wing it' (an idiom meaning to improvise without preparation), highlighting his oblivious and laid-back personality compared to her academic anxiety.

Meanings

noun

A particular kind of matter with uniform properties.

"The scientist identified an unknown substance in the water sample."

noun

The real physical matter of which a person or thing consists.

"The ghost was described as having no physical substance."

noun

The most important or essential part of something; the core meaning.

"His speech had a lot of style, but very little substance."

noun

Wealth or resources sufficient for maintaining life.

"They were people of some substance in the local community."

Related Words

Last Updated: May 22, 2026Report an Error