substantial
adjective
sub·stan·tial
səb-ˈstan(t)-shəl 
1
2
: ample to satisfy and nourish : full
a substantial meal
3
a
: possessed of means : well-to-do
b
: considerable in quantity : significantly great
earned a substantial wage
4
: firmly constructed : sturdy
a substantial house
5
: being largely but not wholly that which is specified
a substantial lie
substantial
noun
Examples of substantial in a Sentence
A substantial number of people commute to work each day.
Activities like that pose a substantial risk of injury.
She purchased her tickets at a substantial discount.
Only the buildings that were constructed of more substantial materials survived the earthquake.
I was hoping that they would serve us something more substantial than wine and cheese.
Recent Examples on the Web
The result is a lightweight, multi-season knit that feels soft yet substantial and is easy to wear with jeans, trousers, or a skirt.
—
Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Leone’s creation has gained a substantial cult following thanks to its throwback grindhouse aesthetics, nauseating practical effects, and unapologetic brutality.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The fourth generation of the Lexus LS that appeared in 2006 brought more substantial changes to the package, in everything from design to power to size to tech.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2025
The opposite is true for companies that carry substantial net cash.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substantial
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Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 31 Oct. 2025
Leone’s creation has gained a substantial cult following thanks to its throwback grindhouse aesthetics, nauseating practical effects, and unapologetic brutality.
—Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
The fourth generation of the Lexus LS that appeared in 2006 brought more substantial changes to the package, in everything from design to power to size to tech.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2025
The opposite is true for companies that carry substantial net cash.
—Michael Khouw, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for substantial
Cite this Entry
“Substantial.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/substantial. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
substantial
adjective
sub·stan·tial
səb-ˈstan-chəl
1
a
: consisting of or relating to substance : material
b
: not imaginary : real
the substantial world
c
: important sense 1, essential
substantial differences
2
: enough to satisfy and nourish
a substantial meal
3
a
: prosperous sense 1
a substantial farmer
b
: considerable in quantity : significantly large
a substantial increase
4
: firmly constructed
a substantial building
Legal Definition
substantial
adjective
sub·stan·tial
səb-ˈstan-chəl
1
a
: of or relating to substance
b
: not illusory : having merit
failed to raise a substantial constitutional claim
c
: having importance or significance : material
a substantial step had not been taken toward commission of the crime—W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.
W. R. LaFave and A. W. Scott, Jr.2
: considerable in quantity : significantly great
identification of serious and substantial failure to perform—U.S. Code
compare de minimis
U.S. Code
substantially
adverb
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