substance

noun

• 1a particular kind of matter with uniform properties:a steel tube coated with a waxy substance
• an intoxicating, stimulating, or narcotic chemical or drug, especially an illegal one:he was suspended for using a banned substance [as modifier]:substance abuse

• 2 [mass noun] the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists and which has a tangible, solid presence:proteins compose much of the actual substance of the body
• the most important or essential part of something; the real or essential meaning:the substance of the Maastricht Treaty
• the subject matter of a text, speech, or work of art, especially as contrasted with the form or style in which it is presented: the movie is a triumph of style over substance the substance of his book was the history of allegorical love literature

• 3 [mass noun] the quality of having a solid basis in reality or fact:the claim has no substance
• the quality of being dependable or stable:some were inclined to knock her for her lack of substance
• the quality of being important, valid, or significant:he had yet to accomplish anything of substance
• wealth and possessions:a woman of substance

• 4 [mass noun] Philosophy the essential nature underlying phenomena, which is subject to changes and accidents.