adjective
substantial
sub-STAN-shul/səbˈstænʃl/
Having firm material substance.
The substantial wooden beam firmly supports the heavy stone slab.
Etymology
Having substance suggests real existence or solid material; pertaining to a thing’s essence suggests something central rather than incidental. These connections illuminate substantial as sizeable, solid, or important enough to matter.
In context
The fabric is substantial enough that you really need to respect its weight
More examples
- They replace the flimsy fence with a substantial stone wall.
- This chair feels substantial enough to last for years.
- The shed rests on a substantial concrete foundation.
Forms
substantial · more substantial · most substantial