In America, "substance" has the
denotative meanings listed in the other writeups. However, it may also refer
euphemistically to
recreational drugs. Common phrases include "
substance abuse" and "controlled substances."
Another use of the term
maps the
tangible/
intangible dichotomy onto thought, so that a communication that is "substantial" has significant
data,
meaning, or
information. One that is "insubstantial" has less to say. Consider these two conversations:
How are you?
Fine, thanks.
How are you?
Pretty happy, ever since I beat back those demons that were trying to invade through my dog's water bowl, as a result of the alchemical experiments I conducted with my father when I was seven years old. If you ever need to stop any demons, you should know that they like tubers.
That's fascinating. I wonder if that's why my parents abandoned me and sent me to live on Uncle Grant's rutabaga farm when I was a girl.
The first conversation is insubstantial. The second is substantial.