1. a. consisting of or relating to substance b. not imaginary or illusory :real, true c.important, essential 2. ample to satisfy and nourish :full a substantial meal 3. a. possessed of means :well-to-do b. considerable in quantity : significantly great earned a substantial wage 4. firmly constructed :sturdy a substantial house 5. being largely but not wholly that which is specified a substantial lie • substantialnoun • sub·stan·ti·al·i·ty \\-ˌstan(t)-shē-ˈa-lə-tē\\ noun • sub·stan·tial·ly \\-ˈstan(t)-sh(ə-)lē\\ adverb • sub·stan·tial·ness \\-ˈstan(t)-shəl-nəs\\ noun