substance
gb/sˈʌbstəns/ us/sˈʌbstəns/
B1
English
~ 2500
anyag, kábítószer, drog, pszichoaktív szer, lényeg, tartalom, vagyon, javak
NOUN
B1
1
anyag
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is made of [substance]
Water is the most abundant substance on Earth.
A víz a leggyakoribb anyag a Földön.
The lab is testing the chemical substances found in the river.
A laboratórium a folyóban talált vegyi anyagokat vizsgálja.
That container holds a dangerous substance.
The paint contains a toxic substance that can harm animals.
Air is a mixture of different substances.
Learner examples
Wood is a natural substance.
A fa természetes anyag.
This cup is made of a hard substance.
Ez a pohár kemény anyagból készült.
Salt is a white substance.
Glass is a clear substance.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'substance' with 'subject' because they sound similar, but they have different meanings.
Meaning
material of which something is made
Collocations
illegal substance
|toxic substance
|chemical substance
|dangerous substance
|controlled substance
Synonyms
material (More general; refers to any matter used for making things.)
Antonyms
void (Refers to the complete absence of matter.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The material or stuff that something is made from.
The physical matter from which a thing is composed.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
use/take [a substance]
He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
Kábítószer birtoklása miatt tartóztatták le.
Substance abuse is a major social problem.
A kábítószerekkel való visszaélés súlyos társadalmi probléma.
The athlete tested positive for a banned substance.
Many young people experiment with illegal substances.
The program helps people recover from substance addiction.
Learner examples
He took an illegal substance.
Tiltott szert vett be.
The police found a dangerous substance in his bag.
A rendőrség veszélyes szert talált a táskájában.
Some people have problems with substance abuse.
The doctor warned about harmful substances.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize 'substance' in this sense almost always refers to drugs, not just any material.
Meaning
a drug or narcotic
Collocations
controlled substance
|abuse of substances
|substance abuse
|illegal substances
Synonyms
narcotic (Often used for strong illegal drugs with addictive properties.)
Antonyms
medicine (A drug used for health benefits, not abuse.)
Themes
health
|law
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A drug, often illegal, that changes how you feel or think.
A drug, especially an illegal one, that affects the mind or body.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
the substance of [something]
The substance of her speech was about climate change.
Beszédének lényege az éghajlatváltozás volt.
We should focus on the substance, not the style.
A tartalomra kellene összpontosítanunk, nem a stílusra.
His claims lack substance and cannot be verified.
The book has more style than substance.
They discussed matters of great substance.
Learner examples
The substance of the story is about love.
A történet lényege a szerelem.
Her words had little substance.
Nem sok tartalom volt a szavaiban.
We talked about the real substance of the problem.
The report has a lot of substance.
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with 'topic'; 'substance' implies depth and importance, not just subject matter.
Meaning
essential meaning or quality
Collocations
the substance of the argument
|matters of substance
|lacking in substance
Synonyms
essence (Focuses on the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality.)
Antonyms
appearance (Focuses on outward look rather than inner reality.)
Themes
communication
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The main or most important part or idea of something.
The essential meaning, importance, or quality of something, especially in contrast to how it looks.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
4
He was a man of great substance in the community.
A közösségben nagy vagyonú embernek számított.
She inherited her family's entire substance after their passing.
A haláluk után ő örökölte a család teljes vagyonát.
People of substance often donate to charitable causes.
Learner examples
He is a man of substance.
Ő vagyonos ember.
She has much substance and can help others.
Nagy vagyona van, ezért tud segíteni másokon.
They are people of great substance.
Meaning
a person's wealth and property
Collocations
man of substance
|woman of substance
Synonyms
assets (A more technical term often used in finance and law.)
Antonyms
poverty (The state of having little or no money or possessions.)
Themes
business
|law
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The money and things that a person owns.
A person's money, possessions, and other material assets.
Grammar
Dictionary form
substance
IPA
GB/sˈʌbstəns/
US/sˈʌbstəns/
Syllables & stress
sub - stance (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sub)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: substance
- Plural: substance, substances
Word family
Forms
substances
noun
Core family
substantial
adjective B1
substantially
adverb B2
Related words
substantive
adjective C1
Negative and opposite forms
insubstantial
adjective
Advanced or less common
substantiate
verb C1
substantiation
noun C1
Expressions
in substance
1/ˈɪn sˈʌbstəns/
fixed phrase
formal
in main meaning or essence
Basically; in its most important meaning.
Examples
- In substance, their two proposals are the same.
- His argument is, in substance, correct.
of substance
1/əv sˈʌbstəns/
fixed phrase
having importance or value
Important or valuable in some way.
Examples
- She is an artist of substance and talent.
- They discussed issues of substance.
substance abuse
1/sˈʌbstəns əbjˈus/
fixed phrase
harmful use of drugs or alcohol
Using drugs or alcohol in a way that is harmful to health or life.
Examples
- Substance abuse can lead to serious health problems.
- The clinic treats people with substance abuse problems.
- The center helps people recover from substance abuse.
- Substance abuse can lead to serious health issues.