substance
gb/sˈʌbstəns/ us/sˈʌbstəns/
B1
Anglais
~ 2500
Sens
0 sens
Nom
B1
entity
1
material of which something is made
The material or stuff that something is made from.
Schéma d’usage :
[something] is made of [substance]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'substance' with 'subject' because they sound similar, but they have different meanings.
Synonymes
material (More general; refers to any matter used for making things.)
Antonymes
void (Refers to the complete absence of matter.)
Collocations
illegal substance
|toxic substance
|chemical substance
|dangerous substance
|controlled substance
Thèmes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- Wood is a natural substance.
- This cup is made of a hard substance.
- Salt is a white substance.
- Glass is a clear substance.
Nom
B2
entity
2
a drug or narcotic
A drug, often illegal, that changes how you feel or think.
Schéma d’usage :
use/take [a substance]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners may not realize 'substance' in this sense almost always refers to drugs, not just any material.
Synonymes
narcotic (Often used for strong illegal drugs with addictive properties.)
Antonymes
medicine (A drug used for health benefits, not abuse.)
Collocations
controlled substance
|abuse of substances
|substance abuse
|illegal substances
Thèmes
health
|law
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Nom
B2
entity
3
essential meaning or quality
The main or most important part or idea of something.
Schéma d’usage :
the substance of [something]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners might confuse this with 'topic'; 'substance' implies depth and importance, not just subject matter.
Synonymes
essence (Focuses on the intrinsic nature or indispensable quality.)
Antonymes
appearance (Focuses on outward look rather than inner reality.)
Collocations
the substance of the argument
|matters of substance
|lacking in substance
Thèmes
communication
|philosophy
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Nom
formal
C1
entity
4
a person's wealth and property
The money and things that a person owns.
Synonymes
assets (A more technical term often used in finance and law.)
Antonymes
poverty (The state of having little or no money or possessions.)
Collocations
man of substance
|woman of substance
Thèmes
business
|law
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He is a man of substance.
- She has much substance and can help others.
- They are people of great substance.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
substance
API
GB/sˈʌbstəns/
US/sˈʌbstəns/
Syllabes et accentuation
sub - stance (2 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (sub)
Formes du mot
Noun
- Base: substance
- Plural: substance, substances
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples
- 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.