Substantially Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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substantially

[səbˈstænʃəli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

in a significant way

To a great extent; considerably. To a large degree; significantly.

Synonyms

considerably, greatly, largely, significantly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
substantially	Used when discussing changes or differences that are large in amount or degree. The company's profits increased substantially over the year. Housing prices have risen substantially in the last decade.
significantly	Used for indicating a notable or important amount, often to highlight differences or changes. The new policy has significantly reduced waste. She has significantly more experience in this field than her colleagues.
considerably	Appropriate for emphasizing a noticeable or considerable amount of change or effect. His health improved considerably after the treatment. She has become considerably more confident since the last time we met.
greatly	Used to express significant extent usually in a positive sense. I would greatly appreciate your help with this project. Our knowledge of the universe has greatly expanded in recent years.
largely	Often used to indicate that something happens mostly or primarily, but not completely. The success of the event was largely due to her efforts. He is largely responsible for the company's turnaround.

Examples of usage

The cost of living has increased substantially over the past year.
Her performance has improved substantially since she started practicing regularly.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

in essence or substance

Essentially; fundamentally. In substance; in reality.

Synonyms

essentially, fundamentally, in reality, in substance.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
substantially	Use it when indicating a large degree or extent of something. The project was substantially completed by the deadline. The new plan is substantially better than the old one.
essentially	This word is good for summarizing the basic or fundamental nature of something. Essentially, the book is about human nature. He is essentially a kind person, despite his gruff exterior.
fundamentally	Appropriate for discussing basic or core principles, often indicating a need for radical or significant change. The system is fundamentally flawed. Fundamentally, their approach needs to be different.
in substance	Utilized for indicating the true or most important aspects of something, separating form from reality. In substance, the two proposals are very similar. The argument, in substance, was about differing ideologies.
in reality	Use it to contrast what is actually the case versus what appears to be true. In reality, things were quite different from what we were told. She seemed confident, but in reality, she was very nervous.

Examples of usage

The changes to the proposal were not substantial.
The two plans are substantially the same in design.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Legal Usage

In legal contexts, 'substantially' often signifies a significant impact or effect, crucial for determining outcomes.
Courts may refer to 'substantial evidence', which is critical in deciding cases, indicating more than just a trivial amount.
The term can also appear in contracts, meaning something that must be followed closely and not ignored.

Science

In research, results reported as 'substantial' indicate findings with meaningful implications, not just minor observations.
Quantitative studies use the term to describe significant changes in data sets that affect conclusions drawn.
In ecology, substantial changes in a habitat can affect the population dynamics of species living there.

Business

In business reports, 'substantial growth' is often referenced to depict significant increases in revenue or market share.
Investors look for substantial changes in company performance as indicators of future success.
The term also appears in descriptions of mergers and acquisitions, signifying important shifts in company structures.

Psychology

In psychological studies, substantial changes in behavior can suggest effective treatment methods.
The concept of substantial emotional support is essential for maintaining mental well-being.
Psychologists analyze substantial differences in population responses to evaluate the effectiveness of therapies.

Origin of 'substantially'

Main points about word origin

Derived from the Latin word 'substantialis', meaning 'pertaining to substance'.
The root 'substance' comes from 'substantia', which means 'being' or 'essence'.
The word has been in use in English since the 15th century, evolving to express quantity and importance.

The word 'substantially' originated from the Latin word 'substantialis', which means 'of substance' or 'real'. It entered the English language in the late 14th century. Over time, the word has evolved to convey the idea of being significant or essential. Today, 'substantially' is commonly used to emphasize the extent or importance of something.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,077, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

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