Substance Meaning
Substance Definition & Usage
The material or physical matter of which a person or thing consists.
Examples
- "Water is a substance necessary for life."
- "The experiment tested the properties of various chemical substances."
- "His arguments lacked substance and were purely emotional."
- "The walls were made of a substance that could withstand extreme weather."
- "Plastic is a common substance used in products around the world."
The essence or most important part of something; the essential quality.
Examples
- "Her speech was full of substance, addressing critical issues."
- "The book explores the substance of human existence."
- "In art, the substance is as important as the style."
- "To find the substance of the argument, one must go beyond surface details."
- "He discussed the substance of the philosophical debate at length."
A specified type of material, especially in a legal or medical context.
Examples
- "The police seized illegal substances during the raid."
- "The substance of the contract must be adhered to by all parties involved."
- "Doctors must be cautious when prescribing substances that can be abused."
- "Research is being done on the substance's effects on mental health."
- "In law, the substance of a case is more important than the form."
Cultural Context
The term 'substance' has evolved over centuries from its Latin origins to include various fields such as science, philosophy, and law. In modern use, it reflects the increasing complexity of discussions surrounding materiality and essence in various disciplines.
Finding Substance
Story
Finding Substance
In the bustling city of Verity, a scientist named Eliza was preparing for a pivotal presentation on environmental substances. For weeks, she had gathered data on pollutants and potential sustainable alternatives, focusing on the substance of her research rather than just surface findings. As she paced her lab, her colleague Amir walked in with a casual remark, "You’ve put so much work into this, Eliza. I hope it has substance beyond the chemistry!" With a smile, she replied, "Exactly. I want to show not just what we're made of, but what we could be if we embrace change." At the conference, Eliza faced a skeptical audience. As she began her talk, she noticed a young student in the back scribbling furiously. He seemed absorbed in the essence of her words, reflecting the same passion she felt. "Today, I’ll discuss various substances in our environment and their impact on climate change," she declared, seamlessly incorporating relatable anecdotes. "These substances don't just exist; they define our future." After her presentation, the student approached her, excitement evident in his eyes. "I loved your discussion on sustainable substances! What’s the essence of your research?" Eliza smiled, the irony not lost on her; she had transformed her initial nervousness into a deep conversation about the core of their world. Following the event, Eliza and Amir joined friends at a local café. They shared cake and laughter, yet in the back of her mind, Eliza pondered the balance between materiality and essence. Amir suddenly raised his glass. "To substance! May our contributions always have meaning!" Everyone cheered, but Eliza couldn’t help reflecting on how they often trivialized ‘substance’ in daily life, forgetting its profound implications. As the night faded, Eliza felt empowered. The conversations had gone far deeper than expected, revealing that substance encompasses so much more than mere matter. It was about shaping lives, values, and even very environmental futures. Finally, as they strolled home under the starlit sky, Eliza resolved never to settle for superficiality, embracing instead the substance in both her work and personal journey.
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