Origin: Latin suffix -ance
Substance has 10 different meanings across 1 category:
the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
"DNA is the substance of our genes"
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
"the gist of the prosecutor's argument"
"the heart and soul of the Republican Party"
"the nub of the story"
material of a particular kind or constitution
"the immune response recognizes invading substances"
what a communication that is about something is about
"The editor asked him to cut the fluff so he could get straight to the substance of his argument."
the property of holding together and retaining its shape
"wool has more body than rayon"
"when the dough has enough consistency it is ready to bake"
a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties
"shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"
Physical matter; material.
"The chemist carefully weighed out a small sample of the unknown substance to analyze its composition."
In plain English: A substance is any real thing that takes up space and has weight, like water, wood, or air.
"The substance in the bottle was thick and sticky."
To give substance to; to make real or substantial.
"The team's hard work gave new substance to their original proposal, turning vague ideas into a concrete plan for action."
In plain English: To substance means to give something real importance or weight.
"The heavy rain substance soaked the ground within minutes."
Usage: Use this verb when describing how an idea, plan, or abstract concept is made concrete through action or resources. It often appears in phrases like "give substance to a theory," emphasizing the transition from thought to reality rather than physical weight.
The word "substance" entered English from the Old French substance, which came from the Latin substantia. This Latin term originally described something that stood under or existed, derived from a verb meaning "to stand."