1. (

• substance

) the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists; "DNA is the substance of our genes" ;

2. (

• kernel ,
• substance ,
• core ,
• center ,
• centre ,
• essence ,
• gist ,
• heart ,
• heart_and_soul ,
• inwardness ,
• marrow ,
• meat ,
• nub ,
• pith ,
• sum ,
• nitty-gritty

) the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience; "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story" ;

3. (

• meaning ,
• substance

) the idea that is intended; "What is the meaning of this proverb?" ;

4. (

• substance

) material of a particular kind or constitution; "the immune response recognizes invading substances" ;

5. (

• means ,
• substance

) considerable capital (wealth or income); "he is a man of means" ;

6. (

• message ,
• content ,
• subject_matter ,
• substance

) what a communication that is about something is about ;

7. (

• consistency ,
• consistence ,
• substance ,
• body

) the property of holding together and retaining its shape; "wool has more body than rayon"; "when the dough has enough consistency it is ready to bake" ;

8. (

• substance ,

) a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties; "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man" ;