(1)物质，材料，东西(material，species of matter)[C]：What kind of～is that? 那是一种什么物质? a metallic/plastic～金属/塑料材料;chemical/radioactive/transparent/stretchy～化学/放射性/透明/有弹性的物质;a strange～at the bottom of one's cup 杯底的怪东西;a～used in antifreeze for car engine 用于汽车发动机防冻的一种物质;a～that will prevent dust 一种防尘材料;the same～in different forms 不同形态的同一物质;〖同〗material，matter，stuff;

(2)重要(基本)内容;实(本)质，要义(main or important part of sth;essential meaning)[U]：give the～of a speech/what sb said 提供讲话要点/某人讲话的要点;There is no～in his beliefs/his argument. 他的信念/论证中没有实质的东西。I agree with you in～. 我基本上同意你的看法。sacrifice the～for the shadow 舍本求末;〖同〗core，essence，import，soul，keynote，intent，heart;

(3)坚(结)实，牢固，浓厚(solidity or thickness)[U]：The material has some～. 这料子还挺结实。soft cloth with little～in it 不结实的软布;Walls in some new houses have very little～. 一些新房子的墙很不结实。Air has little～. 空气稀薄。a meal that has some～to it 有营养的一餐;like a drink with some～in it 喜欢喝点带劲儿的酒;soup without much～稀汤;an argument of little～内容贫乏的论证;〖同〗solidity，actuality;

(4)财物，资产(property or wealth)[U](fml)：a person of～富有的人;waste one's～浪费钱财;

→sub′stantiate vt 证实(明);͵substanti-′ation n 证实(明);′substantive adj 真实(实在)的;sub′stantial adj;

【辨异】substance与material和matter的区别见MATERIAL。