adjective
substantial
suhb-STAN-shuhl
adjective
1
Large enough in size, amount, or value to be significant.
"She received a substantial pay rise after her promotion."
"There was substantial damage to the roof after the storm."
2
Solid, strong, or well-built.
"The old farmhouse had substantial oak beams holding up the roof."
3
Real and actual rather than imaginary.
"The evidence gave substantial grounds for reopening the case."
How to Use Substantial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBig or important enough to really matter — a substantial amount is a lot, not a little.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with substantive, which means "relating to the actual content or substance of something" (a substantive point) rather than "large."
Easily confused with
substantive
Common pairings
substantial amount
substantial evidence
substantial increase
Word Forms
more substantial comparative, substantials plural, most substantial superlative
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She received a _____ pay rise after her promotion.
Etymology
From Old French substanciel, from Latin substantialis, from substantia ("substance").