substance

6 definitions • 8 examples

material with particular physical characteristics:

an organic/chemical substance

What sort of substance could withstand those temperatures?

an illegal drug:

All athletes are tested for illegal substances.

the most important part of what someone has said or written:

Later that year, the substance of their secret conversation appeared in a newspaper article.

importance, seriousness, or relationship to real facts:

substance in/to There is no substance in/to the allegation.

give substance to This new information gives substance to the stories we have heard.

a material with particular physical characteristics:

The pesticide contains a substance that is toxic to insects.

importance, seriousness, or relationship to real facts:

Surprisingly, these filmmakers opted for substance over style.