sub‧stance W3 / sʌbstəns / 名词

1 material [可数名词] 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 [单数形式，不可数] the most important ideas contained in an argument or piece of writing 同义词 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 [不可数名词] formal importance 同义词 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

形容词

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 名词 [可数和不可数名词] 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 名词 [可数名词] 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 名词 [不可数名词] formal a type of substance – used especially in the following 短语 : 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 名词 [不可数名词] informal a substance - used especially when you do not know exactly what it is : What’s that sticky stuff on the floor?