substancesub‧stance /ˈsʌbstəns/ ●●● W3 noun 
The leaves were covered with a strange sticky substance.dangerous/toxic/hazardous/poisonous etc substance harmful substances in the atmosphere Plutonium 238 is one of the most toxic substances known to man.illegal/banned/prohibited/controlled substance (=used especially about illegal drugs) Police found an illegal substance in his car.2truth [uncountable usually in questions and negatives] formal if something has substance, it is true: There is no substance to the rumours (=they are untrue).without substance (=untrue) O'Connell’s remarks are completely without substance.3ideas [singular, uncountable] the most important ideas contained in an argument or piece of writing SYN essence: The substance of his argument was that people on welfare should work.in substance What she said, in substance, was that the mayor should resign.4importance [uncountable] formal importance SYN significance: It was an entertaining speech, but it lacked substance (=there was no important information in it).matters/issues of substance We should be discussing matters of substance.5 man/woman of substance British English literary a rich man or womanCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa dangerous/hazardous/harmful substance· Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people's health at risk.a poisonous substance (also a noxious substance formal) (=harmful to people)· Cigarette smoke contains several poisonous substances.a toxic substance (=harmful to people and the environment)· All toxic substances should be labelled and carefully stored in a safe place.a radioactive substance (=containing a form of energy that can harm people)· People who work with radioactive substances are subject to strict regulations.an illegal/banned/prohibited substance (=used mainly to refer to illegal drugs)· Any player found guilty of using banned substances faces the prospect of a lengthy suspension.a controlled substance law (=an illegal drug)· He was charged with possessing a controlled substance.an organic substance (=from a living thing)· Despite being an organic substance, ivory is remarkably durable.
WORD ORIGINsubstance
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French, Latin substantia, from substare ‘to stand under’EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- Brown did not contest the substance of the reports.
- It was an entertaining speech, but without much substance.
- Poisonous substances, such as garden chemicals, should be clearly labelled.
- Resin is a dark, sticky substance.
- She was arrested for smoking marijuana, an illegal substance.
- The substance of Marx's views is the same in both of these books.
- The green colour of the leaf is due to a substance called chlorophyll.
- the problem of disposing of radioactive substances
- The transportation of flammable substances is tightly regulated.
- toxic substances
- Although Mr McKinnell's style is more approachable than his predecessor's, close observers reckon his substance is just as strong.
- But after seven months the teams were adrift, and had accomplished little of substance.
- Energy, after all, depends upon the speed with which that substance is travelling.
- Some substances have the ability to soak up, or adsorb, other chemicals.
- The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time interval taken for the radiant species present to lose half its radioactivity.
- They're asking people to look out for the substances which were in a large grey plastic box.
- They took it in turns to breathe in the smoke, as the substance sizzled with a malicious delight.
- When the water drops, the substances drift back along the passageways and soak into the water table.
THESAURUSa solid or liquid substance
noun [countable, uncountable] a substance, especially one that can be used for making things: · building materials· The island has to import oil and other raw materials (=materials used for making things).· radioactive material
noun [countable] a type of material such as a chemical or a mineral: · The green colour of the leaf is due to a substance called chlorophyll.· Dioxin is one of the most toxic substances known to man.
noun [uncountable] formal a type of substance – used especially in the following phrases: · waste matter from the body· It is important to add plenty of organic matter to the soil.· People throw away lots of vegetable matter.
noun [uncountable] informal a substance – used especially when you do not know exactly what it is: · What’s that sticky stuff on the floor?
Longman Language Activatoran illegal drug an illegal substance that people take for pleasure, or because they cannot stop taking it: · Thompson was arrested for selling drugs in the fall of 1992.· a new campaign to warn teens about the danger of drugsillegal drugs: · The agency's efforts to reduce the flow of illegal drugs into the United States has largely failed.hard drug (=a powerful illegal drug that can make you very ill or kill you): · Dewey said that legalizing marijuana would encourage people to experiment with hard drugs such as cocaine or heroin.soft drug (=an illegal drug that is less dangerous than a hard drug): · Seven out of ten teenagers said they had tried soft drugs.drug abuse (=the use of illegal drugs, especially in a way that is very bad for your health): · She has been treated for alcohol and drug abuse.drug addiction: · The organization tries to deal with the widespread problems of drug addiction and alcoholism.
especially American illegal drugs - used especially in news reports and in legal contexts: · Laws governing the sale of narcotics vary from state to state.· Police are investigating a recent spate of narcotics offenses in Miami.
an illegal drug of any type - used especially in legal and official contexts: · Tucker was charged with the possession of an illegal substance.· Drug tests taken 24 hours after the crash showed no trace of illegal substances in either of the drivers.
a solid or liquid substance a type of solid or liquid, such as a chemical, a mineral, or something produced by a plant: · Poisonous substances, such as garden chemicals, should be clearly labelled.· Resin is a dark, sticky substance.· the problem of disposing of radioactive substances· The green colour of the leaf is due to a substance called chlorophyll.
any solid substance that can be used for making things: · Steel is a stronger material than iron.· The company supplies building materials such as bricks and cement.· A layer of insulating material should be placed between the panels and the solid wall.
especially spoken, informal a substance: · What's that sticky stuff on the floor?· Do you have any of that clear plastic stuff to cover food with?
formal any physical substance - used especially in science: · They are investigating an area of space that contains more than the usual amount of matter.· the forces exerted between particles of mattervegetable/organic matter: · In order to decompose, all vegetable matter needs supplies of nitrogen.waste matter: · Dietary fibre makes waste matter from the food we eat pass through our bodies quickly.
the main meaning of something the main idea of an argument, discussion, statement etc that shows its general or most important meaning: the point of something: · The point of the story did not emerge until the end of the film.somebody's point: · What's your point? Do you think I'm not good enough for your daughter?miss the point (=not understand the main idea): · The talk was about symbolism in art -- Len missed the point and thought it was about painting techniques.the point is.... (=used for mentioning the most important thing): · The point is, you should have told me where you were going.come/get to the point (=to reach the most important part of what you want to say): · "I'll come straight to the point," said the doctor. "I think you are suffering from depression."
the main idea and meaning of something such as an article or a speech: the gist of something: · I don't know the whole story but this is the gist of it.get the gist (of something) (=understand the gist of something): · Read the article once through to get the gist of it.· Students are encouraged to read the text, getting the gist, then go deeper into the meaning.
the most important meaning of something such as an argument or piece of writing: the essence of something: · The essence of his argument is that human character is formed by society.
the main set of ideas involved in something such as an explanation, argument, or account of something: the drift of something: · The drift of his letter is that he wants to come back.catch/get/follow somebody's drift (=understand the basic idea of what someone is saying): · It was a complicated argument but I think I caught his drift.· I follow your drift, but I just don't believe it.
the most important message of an argument, explanation etc, especially when it consists of a set of connected ideas leading to a final answer or idea: the thrust of something: · It is difficult to argue with the thrust of Davidson's analysis of the situation.· The overall thrust of her argument was that women are still oppressed in all areas of life.
formal the most important ideas contained in an argument or piece of writing: the substance of something: · The substance of Marx's views is the same in both of these books.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives He was suspended for using a banned substance (=a drug that people competing in sport are not allowed to take). Toxic chemicals were spilled into the river.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
· Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people's health at risk.
(also a noxious substance formal) (=harmful to people)· Cigarette smoke contains several poisonous substances.
(=harmful to people and the environment)· All toxic substances should be labelled and carefully stored in a safe place.
(=containing a form of energy that can harm people)· People who work with radioactive substances are subject to strict regulations.
(=used mainly to refer to illegal drugs)· Any player found guilty of using banned substances faces the prospect of a lengthy suspension.
law (=an illegal drug)· He was charged with possessing a controlled substance.
(=from a living thing)· Despite being an organic substance, ivory is remarkably durable.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=a drug that people competing in a sport are not allowed to take because it improves their performance)
He was suspended for using a banned substance (=a drug that people competing in sport are not allowed to take). (=an illegal drug)· Customs officials found an illegal substance in Smith’s luggage.
Toxic chemicals were spilled into the river.· Addictive behaviour is used just as addictive substances are used by people who are prone to addictive disease.· Relapse can be seen in changes of mood before it leads back to use of the addictive substance or behaviour.· She had an overwhelming fear of syphilis, and the pattern of her tippling was similar to that with other addictive substances.· While still suffering, the negative feeling of fearful projection may result in craving for the addictive substance or behaviour.· By learning to let the sufferer take the full consequences of the use of addictive substances or behaviour.· Detoxification from alcohol or drugs and weaning from other addictive substances or behaviours.· The alternative to the hopeless choice between continuing disorders of mood or continuing recourse to addictive substances or behaviours.
· This symposium will address the question of effects of chemical substances on reproductive systems to both females and males.· She took him to a place called the Loneliness Bar, where the hostesses wore swimsuits treated with a chemical substance.· The naming or nomenclature of chemical substances falls broadly into two categories: inorganic nomenclature and organic nomenclature.· Women Inventors All matter is composed of chemical substances.· The latest system lists over 68000 chemical substances, their hazards and remedial actions.· Some chemical substances have the potential to crystallize in two alternative ways.· Mixtures All chemical substances, whether elements, compounds or mixtures, are made up of three types of particles.
· Protect your hands with rubber gloves because it can be a dangerous substance in such a concentrated form.· Others might think it takes a controlled dangerous substance or shock therapy.· Dangers to the general public can also arise at fairgrounds, demolition sites or from the carrying of dangerous substances by road.· Also, since this reaction does not use tritium, it does not require the manufacture or transportation of this dangerous substance.· There was also a debate about what would happen to the most dangerous substances in the Windscale cocktail, particularly plutonium.· Because Britain has been covered, during the last few weeks, with record levels of toxic and other dangerous substances.· No scientist is careless enough to handle dangerous chemicals or substances without suitable protection.· Even outside a nuclear weapon it is a highly dangerous substance - fatal to humans if ingested in even minute quantities.
· And the cold air - like getting a different substance into your lungs, water or another element.· He remained apart and of a different substance.· How does it come about that different substances are found in different parts of the body?· Like all chemical compounds, minerals are homogeneous: A mineral can not be separated mechanically into different substances.· To compare the effect of different substances on gastric acid secretion proper control solutions comparable with the test solution should be used.· We must have worked on well over a hundred different substances and there was absolutely no doubt about it.· Therefore the choice is between leaving things as they are and adopting a new definition which is different in substance.· When different substances are combined underground or burned, chemicals hazardous to human health can result.
· So when it's added to harmful substances, it makes them unpalatable.· When Delaney offered his amendment, scientists could identify traces of potentially harmful substances down to a level of parts per million.· Use aquarium gravel, as it should not leach harmful substances into the water.· How to use charcoal Charcoal will take up a number of harmful or nuisance substances by adsorption.· Bogwood is semi-fossilised, and should not contain harmful substances, but it may stain the water dark brown.· Accidents, both from injuries or harmful substances entering the eye, can cause scarring and ulceration.
· There are also other consents which are required, for example, before introducing hazardous substances.· Afterwards, the city discovered the hazardous substances in the groundwater that threatened the nearby public drinking water supply.· A number of hazardous substances are resistant to biodegradation.
· When I die they can perform an autopsy and they will find that I have never ever taken an illegal substance.· Sure, there are people using illegal substances in the Olympics, just as there are those among the general population.· Touch illegal substances, touch people.· Samaranch did not elaborate, but he may have been referring to a more high-powered device to detect illegal substances.· It covers the use of illegal substance, lifting the seam and scuffing the leather.
· From a strictly medical viewpoint, I should point out that not every natural substance is harmless.· The drug, Prostacyclin, is a synthetic version of a natural substance that is produced by the linings of blood vessels.· Patients are given highly diluted doses of natural substances which, say practitioners, boost the body's natural healing ability.· Homoeopathy, the Bach remedies and herbalism are all different ways of utilizing the healing properties of plants and other natural substances.· Cholesterol is a natural substance found in the body tissues of animals but not plants.· Vitamins are natural substances vital for growth and health.· But so far as natural substances go we are all gazing countrymen.· F Filter bacteria: Almost every natural substance can be broken down by bacteria. and fish wastes are no exception.
· The normal gastric mucosa can prevent bypass diffusion of potentially noxious substances from the gastric lumen.· The site was contaminated with copper arsenate, a fairly noxious substance, but the fern was apparently thriving.· Other noxious substances may be very good drugs too if they are understood and properly used.
· Thus, falling into the technocrats' natural sin, it mistook administrative device for organic substance.· They are producers, the only organisms able to develop organic substances from inorganic mineral elements and their compounds.· QACs are badly affected by hard water and are progressively inactivated by dirt and other organic substances.· The secret of the remarkable production by plants of both oxygen and organic food substances is of course photosynthesis.· Most interesting organic substances are non-conducting, and biologists like to put their samples on insulating glass slides.· All varieties of this species withstand hard water as well as water with surplus or organic substances.· First its value was enhanced because, despite being an organic substance, ivory is remarkably durable.
· Although the status of pearls among other precious substances varied in different parts of the world, their appeal was exceptionally widespread.· Many other substances were screened for antiviral activity and a few drugs with limited clinical application were found.· She had an overwhelming fear of syphilis, and the pattern of her tippling was similar to that with other addictive substances.· Homoeopathy, the Bach remedies and herbalism are all different ways of utilizing the healing properties of plants and other natural substances.· QACs are badly affected by hard water and are progressively inactivated by dirt and other organic substances.· Because Britain has been covered, during the last few weeks, with record levels of toxic and other dangerous substances.· Gaseous oxides formed from sulphur, nitrogen and other substances also have to be scrubbed out and neutralised.· Many other substances play a minor role as insect pigments, occurring either in small amounts or only in a few species.
· Botulism toxin from bacteria prevents the release of acetylcholine and is the most poisonous substance known.· If there is evidence or suspicion of drugs or poisonous substances having been taken.· Hangovers are actually the body's response of shock at being subjected to a substantial dose of a poisonous substance.· Cube Boxfish can release a poisonous substance if badly-handled or attacked.· The thick, unbreathable atmosphere carries traces of what to us are corrosive and poisonous substances.
· The emergence of stratified societies culminating in states increased conspicuous consumption of precious substances.· For this reason temples and cathedrals frequently maintained artificers schooled in the use of precious substances.· Although the status of pearls among other precious substances varied in different parts of the world, their appeal was exceptionally widespread.· The attitude adopted to precious substances helps to confirm the force of inertia in history.· A nautical lapidary accordingly recommended a variety of precious substances to ward off such dangers.· As symbols wooden thrones have traditionally attracted some of the most precious substances.· One way of showing them respect was to enclose them in reliquaries and enrich these with precious substances.· Again, methods for displaying precious substances were of an elementary character.
· Many more will have suffered from cancers brought on by one of the radioactive substances released.· The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time interval taken for the radiant species present to lose half its radioactivity.· Low-level waste is primarily the product of industrial and medical use of radioactive substances.· This has been particularly useful in the nuclear industry where highly corrosive toxic and radioactive substances cause severe maintenance problems.· The activity of a radioactive substance is the number of nuclei decaying per second.· They've been injected with plutonium in an effort to find out exactly how the radioactive substance affects people.
· But, unfortunately for Bovis, there was real substance to Braehead's counterclaim.· But I fear there is still a problem. Real substances are not infinitely hard and rigid.· Both sides shall give real substance to the agreement on the creation and work of cultural centres and fully exploit them.· There is one further practical objection which, in my view, has real substance.· This in itself gives strength to the contention that neither can be based on beliefs of real substance.· I believe this is an objection of real substance.
· New nosodes have also been added to the armamentarium and special remedies prepared from specific antigens and toxic substances.· Well, he claims that her problems are caused by toxic substances she must have eaten as a child.· This is the first time that plutonium, the most toxic substance in the world, has been discovered in scrap metal.· Occupational health laws regulate toxic substances in the work environment.· Be careful with toxic substances and always follow the directions on the bottles with great care.· The toxic substances department must approve it and hammer out a legal agreement with the group before moving forward.· Some genetic disorders predispose individuals to the toxic effects of substances found in the workplace or environment.· Groundand balloon-carried sensors tested the air for toxic substances.
NOUN· Finally, the policy also aims to provide assistance to employees with other substance abuse problems.· Maybe, I am thinking, they should specialize in substance abuse.· The differential diagnosis includes both primary psychiatric illness and a wide range of organic acute brain syndromes, including substance abuse.· These guys should get into substance abuse.· In each case the primary diagnosis was substance abuse, and initial treatment was given accordingly.· Remember that substance abuse treatment must address queerness.· Another jockey needs treatment for substance abuse.
VERB· Some of the herbal supplements are more difficult as they may naturally contain non permitted substances. 11.· Many packaging materials contain highly flammable substances that could make a fire suddenly flare up.· Bear in mind that cold cures and certain drinks contain prohibited substances that show up in a drugs test.· To combat chest congestion, Angol took an over-the-counter medication which contained a substance on the Olympic banned list.· Bogwood is semi-fossilised, and should not contain harmful substances, but it may stain the water dark brown.
· In future we will need to control all such substances.· Anabolic steroids, a controlled substance in the United States since 1988, are not detectable by drug-sniffing canines.· This prescription is for a controlled substance.· Others might think it takes a controlled dangerous substance or shock therapy.· Lee was charged with felony sale of controlled substances and possession for sale of a controlled substance.· Iverson was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana and possession of firearms with a controlled substance.
· The strongly evoked historical setting gives the story substance and originality.· Second, the animals given these substances are bred in a manner that probably increases their susceptibility to cancer.· Further, there is a significant grief reaction to giving up the substance or process of addiction itself.· His lordship was attractive enough to give substance to otherwise tenuous connections.· Similarly, a historian will make use of statistical techniques to give objective substance to intuitively sensed historical processes or trends.· It is broadsheet agony-column material given fictional substance.· All the same, some general remarks may serve to give this conjecture more substance.· Both sides shall give real substance to the agreement on the creation and work of cultural centres and fully exploit them.
· It lacked substance - almost as much as had my fantasies that Edward was deliberately keeping us apart.· In a sports-talk world lacking a lot of substance, his callers come hard.
· Some sponges produce a soft flexible substance around their cells which supports the whole organism.· Some kinds of facilities that use, process, produce or store such substances may be exempted from regulation under these laws.· Cases of pulmonary haemorrhage have occurred in workers in factories producing these substances.· He has a number, many quite apt, which he is liable to produce to lend substance to his conversation.
· Relapse can be seen in changes of mood before it leads back to use of the addictive substance or behaviour.· Sure, there are people using illegal substances in the Olympics, just as there are those among the general population.· As emphasised, sufferers in relapse do not necessarily return to use of the substance or behaviour of addiction.· Reality becomes so painful that the sufferer uses his or her substance or process of addiction in order to survive the emotional carnage.· Armonatherapy uses naturally grown aromatic substances to treat patients.· I'd had twenty-five years of booze and using other recreational substances.· The return to use of the substance or behaviour of addiction is only the final stage of relapse.· But already plans to use the substance have stirred up controversy.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
- Aristeides represented the land forces, the men of substance, who provided their own armour and were not paid.
- But Miss Close's father was a man of substance, and he finally bought the picture for a rather large sum.
- He accepted the semi-political duties of a man of substance in his county.
- He was a man of substance.
- His will, executed on 12 December 1760, shows him to have been a man of substance.
- I am not worried about the men of substance.
- I was a man of substance now, I had arrived.
- The lowest officials on the administrative tier were the village headmen, who were normally men of substance.
WORD FAMILYnounsubstancesubstantiationsubstantiveadjectivesubstantial ≠ insubstantialsubstantiveverbsubstantiateadverbsubstantially
1material [countable] a particular type of solid, liquid, or gas: The leaves were covered with a strange sticky substance.dangerous/toxic/hazardous/poisonous etc substance harmful substances in the atmosphere Plutonium 238 is one of the most toxic substances known to man.illegal/banned/prohibited/controlled substance (=used especially about illegal drugs) Police found an illegal substance in his car.2truth [uncountable usually in questions and negatives] formal if something has substance, it is true: There is no substance to the rumours (=they are untrue).without substance (=untrue) O'Connell’s remarks are completely without substance.3ideas [singular, uncountable] the most important ideas contained in an argument or piece of writing SYN essence: The substance of his argument was that people on welfare should work.in substance What she said, in substance, was that the mayor should resign.4importance [uncountable] formal importance SYN significance: It was an entertaining speech, but it lacked substance (=there was no important information in it).matters/issues of substance We should be discussing matters of substance.5 man/woman of substance British English literary a rich man or womanCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa dangerous/hazardous/harmful substance· Using chemicals or other hazardous substances at work can put people's health at risk.a poisonous substance (also a noxious substance formal) (=harmful to people)· Cigarette smoke contains several poisonous substances.a toxic substance (=harmful to people and the environment)· All toxic substances should be labelled and carefully stored in a safe place.a radioactive substance (=containing a form of energy that can harm people)· People who work with radioactive substances are subject to strict regulations.an illegal/banned/prohibited substance (=used mainly to refer to illegal drugs)· Any player found guilty of using banned substances faces the prospect of a lengthy suspension.a controlled substance law (=an illegal drug)· He was charged with possessing a controlled substance.an organic substance (=from a living thing)· Despite being an organic substance, ivory is remarkably durable.