substance

noun subs-TAHNS Rare

Also means

matter

Usage Note

Substance is used in both scientific contexts (a chemical substance) and figurative ones — en substance means 'in essence' or 'basically', a useful connector in spoken and written French. The adjective substantiel/substantielle ('substantial') is related, and substantiellement means 'substantially'.

Examples

"Cette substance est dangereuse."

Natural Translation

This substance is dangerous.

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