substantial

Substantial is an adjective that denotes a sense of significance, size, or durability. It is used to describe things that are considerable in amount or extent, such as a substantial increase in sales, a substantial amount of time, or a substantial meal. The term can also refer to quality or importance, as in substantial improvements, substantial testimony, or substantial support. In objects and structures, substantial can imply sturdiness or solid construction, as in a substantial building.

Etymology and sense development: substantial derives from Middle English via Old French and ultimately from Latin substantia, meaning substance. The sense evolved from “having substance” to “significant or considerable,” with ongoing use in both everyday and formal contexts.

Usage notes: Substantial connotes more than trivial or insubstantial, though the precise quantity or weight is not fixed. In legal and contract language, phrases like substantial completion, substantial performance, or substantial evidence indicate that the threshold of adequacy has been met, though definitions vary by context or jurisdiction. In everyday language, it frequently collocates with amounts, changes, risks, or advantages (e.g., a substantial risk, a substantial change).

Synonyms include considerable, sizable, extensive, meaningful, or durable; antonyms include insubstantial, negligible, trivial, and slight. Substantial is distinct from substantive, which tends to emphasize essential content, legal rights, or underlying significance rather than sheer magnitude.

See also: substance, substantive, substantiality.