1. The real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
   "DNA is the substance of our genes"
    
2. Material of a particular kind or constitution
   "the immune response recognizes invading substances"
    
3. The property of holding together and retaining its shape
   "when the dough has enough substance it is ready to bake";
   - consistency, consistence, body
    
4. The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
   "the substance of the prosecutor's argument";
   - kernel, core, center [US], centre [Brit, Cdn], essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty [informal]
    
5. The idea that is intended
   "What is the substance of this proverb?";
   - meaning
    
6. What a communication is about; the information conveyed or area of interest
   "The substance of the lecture was climate change";
   - message, content, subject matter
    
7. Considerable capital (wealth or income)
   "he is a man of substance";
   - means

Derived forms: substances

See also: thick, thin

Type of: capital, cognitive content, communication, component, component part, constituent, content, idea, matter, mental object, part, physical entity, portion, property, thought

Encyclopedia: Substance