Meaning of substance in English
Table of contents
Noun
substanceEtymology
Middle English (denoting the essential nature of something): from Old French, from Latin substantia‘being, essence’, from substant-‘standing firm’, from the verb substareDefinitions
1. that which has mass and occupies spaceExamples
- « an atom is the smallest indivisible unit of matter »
- 2. the stuff of which an object consists
- 3. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
Examples
- « the gist of the prosecutor's argument »
- « the heart and soul of the Republican Party »
- « the nub of the story »
Derived terms
- 4. the idea that is intended
Examples
- « What is the meaning of this proverb? »
Derived terms
- 5. considerable capital (wealth or income)
Examples
- « he is a man of means »
- 6. what a communication that is about something is about
Famous quotes
- « Time is the substance from which I am made. Time is a river which carries me along, but I am the river it is a tiger that devours me, but I am the tiger it is a fire that consumes me, but I am the fire. » Jorge Luis Borges
- « My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads of things that I liked about the movie, which made me opt for it. » Natasha Henstridge
- « I'm in awe of the universe, but I don't necessarily believe there's an intelligence or agent behind it. I do have a passion for the visual in religious rituals, though, even though they may be completely empty and bereft of substance. The incense is powerful and provocative, whether Buddhist or Catholic. » David Bowie
- « The substance of faith is a hope in the unseen. » Ron Suskind
- « Faith is the substance of hope - of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. So if you can hope for it and imagine it, and keep imagining and hoping and seeing yourself driving a new car, or seeing yourself getting that job, or seeing yourself excel, seeing yourself help that person - that is faith. » Duane Chapman