substance

Word family

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++sub·stance /ˈsʌbstəns/ W3 noun 1 material 物质 [countable]SUBSTANCE a particular type of solid, liquid, or gas 物质 The leaves were covered with a strange sticky substance. 树叶上覆着一层黏糊糊的怪东西。dangerous/toxic/hazardous/poisonous etc substance harmful substances in the atmosphere 大气中的有害物质 Plutonium 238 is one of the most toxic substances known to man. 钚238是人类已知毒性最强的物质之一。illegal/banned/prohibited/controlled substance (=used especially about illegal drugs) 非法/违禁/管制品〔尤指毒品〕 Police found an illegal substance in his car. 警察在他的车里发现了违禁品。2 truth 事实 [uncountable usually in questions and negatives] formalTRUE if something has substance, it is true 事实 There is no substance to the rumours (=they are untrue). 这些传闻毫无根据。without substance (=untrue) O'Connell’s remarks are completely without substance. 奥康奈尔的话完全站不住脚。3 ideas 思想 [singular, uncountable]MEANING the most important ideas contained in an argument or piece of writing 〔论点、文章的〕主旨，主要内容，要义 SYN essence The substance of his argument was that people on welfare should work. 他论点的主旨是享受社会福利的人应该去工作。in substance What she said, in substance, was that the mayor should resign. 她所说的话的中心意思是市长应该辞职。4 importance 重要性 [uncountable] formalIMPORTANT importance 重要性 SYN significance It was an entertaining speech, but it lacked substance (=there was no important information in it). 演讲很有趣味，但缺乏实质性的内容。matters/issues of substance We should be discussing matters of substance. 我们应该讨论重要的事情。5. man/woman of substance British English literary a rich man or woman 富人，有财产的人n COLLOCATIONSadjectivesa dangerous/hazardous/harmful substanceUsing 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.

Examples from the Corpus

substance• The green colour of the leaf is due to a substance called chlorophyll.• The transportation of flammable substances is tightly regulated.• Although Mr McKinnell's style is more approachable than his predecessor's, close observers reckon his substance is just as strong.• She was arrested for smoking marijuana, an illegal substance.• It was an entertaining speech, but without much substance.• But after seven months the teams were adrift, and had accomplished little of substance.• Poisonous substances, such as garden chemicals, should be clearly labelled.• The half-life of a radioactive substance is the time interval taken for the radiant species present to lose half its radioactivity.• the problem of disposing of radioactive substances• Some substances have the ability to soak up, or adsorb, other chemicals.• Resin is a dark, sticky substance.• Energy, after all, depends upon the speed with which that substance is travelling.• They took it in turns to breathe in the smoke, as the substance sizzled with a malicious delight.• Brown did not contest the substance of the reports.• When the water drops, the substances drift back along the passageways and soak into the water table.• They're asking people to look out for the substances which were in a large grey plastic box.• The substance of Marx's views is the same in both of these books.• toxic substancesdangerous/toxic/hazardous/poisonous etc substance• 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.• This membrane defect makes it much easier for toxic substances made by the immune system to enter red cells and kill parasites.• Botulism toxin from bacteria prevents the release of acetylcholine and is the most poisonous substance known.• Dangers to the general public can also arise at fairgrounds, demolition sites or from the carrying of dangerous substances by road.• Occupational health laws regulate toxic substances in the work environment.• Afterwards, the city discovered the hazardous substances in the groundwater that threatened the nearby public drinking water supply.• The toxic substances department must approve it and hammer out a legal agreement with the group before moving forward.lacked substance• It lacked substance - almost as much as had my fantasies that Edward was deliberately keeping us apart.Origin substance (1200-1300) Old French Latin substantia, from substare “to stand under”

sub·stance noun →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable

solid, of a particular type Corpus liquid,

substance
sub‧stance W3 /ˈsʌbstəns/

noun

Word Family: noun: substance, substantiation, substantive; adjective: substantial ≠ insubstantial, substantive; verb: substantiate; adverb: substantially

Date: 1200-1300
Language: Old French
Origin: Latin substantia, from substare 'to stand under'

1. MATERIAL [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.
2. TRUTH [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.
3. IDEAS [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.
4. IMPORTANCE [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 woman

COLLOCATIONS

■ adjectives
   ▪ a dangerous/hazardous/harmful substance Using chemicals or othe 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.

THESAURUS

■ a solid or liquid substance
   ▪ material noun [uncountable and countable] 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
   ▪ substance 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.
   ▪ matter 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.
   ▪ stuff noun [uncountable] informal a substance - used especially when you do not know exactly what it is: What’s that sticky stuff on the floor?

🔑 sub·stance

BrE

/ˈsʌbstəns/

🔊

NAmE

/ˈsʌbstəns/

🔊

noun

🔑

[countable]