substance

Meanings

• the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
  • "DNA is the substance of our genes"
• the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
• the idea that is intended
• material of a particular kind or constitution
  • "the immune response recognizes invading substances"
• considerable capital (wealth or income)
• what a communication that is about something is about
• a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties
  • "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"

Synonyms

center, centre, content, core, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, kernel, marrow, meaning, means, meat, message, nitty-gritty, nub, pith, subject matter, sum