substance
gb/sˈʌbstəns/ us/sˈʌbstəns/
B1
English
~ 2500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
material of which something is made
The material or stuff that something is made from.
Usage pattern:
[something] is made of [substance]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'substance' with 'subject' because they sound similar, but they have different meanings.
Synonyms
material (More general; refers to any matter used for making things.)
Antonyms
void (Refers to the complete absence of matter.)
Collocations
illegal substance
|toxic substance
|chemical substance
|dangerous substance
|controlled substance
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Water is the most abundant substance on Earth.
- The lab is testing the chemical substances found in the river.
- 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.
- This cup is made of a hard substance.
- Salt is a white substance.
- Glass is a clear substance.
Noun
B2
entity
2
a drug or narcotic
A drug, often illegal, that changes how you feel or think.
Usage pattern:
use/take [a substance]
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize 'substance' in this sense almost always refers to drugs, not just any material.
Synonyms
narcotic (Often used for strong illegal drugs with addictive properties.)
Antonyms
medicine (A drug used for health benefits, not abuse.)
Collocations
controlled substance
|abuse of substances
|substance abuse
|illegal substances
Themes
health
|law
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was arrested for possession of a controlled substance.
- Substance abuse is a major social problem.
- 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.
- The police found a dangerous substance in his bag.
- Some people have problems with substance abuse.
- The doctor warned about harmful substances.
Noun
B2
entity
3
essential meaning or quality
The main or most important part or idea of something.
Usage pattern:
the substance of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse this with 'topic'; 'substance' implies depth and importance, not just subject matter.
Synonyms
essence (Focuses on the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality.)
Antonyms
appearance (Focuses on outward look rather than inner reality.)
Collocations
the substance of the argument
|matters of substance
|lacking in substance
Themes
communication
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The substance of her speech was about climate change.
- We should focus on the substance, not the style.
- 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.
- Her words had little substance.
- We talked about the real substance of the problem.
- The report has a lot of substance.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
4
a person's wealth and property
The money and things that a person owns.
Synonyms
assets (A more technical term often used in finance and law.)
Antonyms
poverty (The state of having little or no money or possessions.)
Collocations
man of substance
|woman of substance
Themes
business
|law
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He was a man of great substance in the community.
- She inherited her family's entire substance after their passing.
- People of substance often donate to charitable causes.
Learner examples
- He is a man of substance.
- She has much substance and can help others.
- They are people of great substance.
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.