The difference between Solid and Substantial

When used as nouns, solid means a substance in the fundamental state of matter that retains its size and shape without need of a container (as opposed to a liquid or gas), whereas substantial means anything having substance.

When used as adjectives, solid means that can be picked up or held, having a texture, and usually firm. unlike a liquid or a gas, whereas substantial means having a substance.


Solid is also adverb with the meaning: solidly.

check bellow for the other definitions of Solid and Substantial

  1. Solid as an adjective (of an object or substance):

    That can be picked up or held, having a texture, and usually firm. Unlike a liquid or a gas.

    Examples:

    "Almost all metals are solid at room temperature."

  2. Solid as an adjective:

    Large in size, quantity, or value.

  3. Solid as an adjective:

    Lacking holes, hollows or admixtures of other materials.

    Examples:

    "solid [[gold]]'', ''solid [[chocolate]]"

  4. Solid as an adjective:

    Strong or unyielding.

    Examples:

    "a solid foundation"

  5. Solid as an adjective (slang):

    Excellent, of high quality, or reliable.

    Examples:

    "That's a solid plan."

    "Radiohead's on tour! Have you heard their latest album yet? It's quite solid."

    "I don't think Dave would have done that. He's a solid dude."

  6. Solid as an adjective:

    Hearty; filling.

    Examples:

    "a solid meal"

  7. Solid as an adjective:

    Worthy of credit, trust, or esteem; substantial; not frivolous or fallacious.

  8. Solid as an adjective:

    Sound; not weak.

    Examples:

    "a solid constitution of body"

  9. Solid as an adjective (typography):

    Written as one word, without spaces or hyphens.

    Examples:

    "American English writes many words as solid that British English hyphenates."

  10. Solid as an adjective (printing, dated):

    Not having the lines separated by leads; not open.

  11. Solid as an adjective (US, politics, slang):

    United; without division; unanimous.

    Examples:

    "The delegation is solid for a candidate."

  12. Solid as an adjective:

    Of a single color throughout.

    Examples:

    "John painted the walls solid white."

    "He wore a solid shirt with floral pants."

  13. Solid as an adjective (of drawn lines):

    Continuous; unbroken; not dotted or dashed.

    Examples:

    "The solid lines show roads, and the dotted lines footpaths."

  14. Solid as an adjective (dated):

    Having all the geometrical dimensions; cubic.

    Examples:

    "A solid foot contains 1,728 solid inches."

  1. Solid as a noun (chemistry):

    A substance in the fundamental state of matter that retains its size and shape without need of a container (as opposed to a liquid or gas).

  2. Solid as a noun (geometry):

    A three-dimensional figure (as opposed to a surface, an area, or a curve).

  3. Solid as a noun (informal):

    A favor.

    Examples:

    "Please do me a solid: lend me your car for one week."

    "I owe him; he did me a solid last year."

  4. Solid as a noun:

    An article of clothing which is of a single color throughout.

    Examples:

    "I prefer solids over paisleys."

  5. Solid as a noun (in the plural):

    Food which is not liquid-based.

    Examples:

    "The doctor said I can't eat any solids four hours before the operation."

  1. Solid as an adverb:

    Solidly.

  2. Solid as an adverb (not comparable, typography):

    Without spaces or hyphens.

    Examples:

    "Many long-established compounds are set solid."

  1. Substantial as an adjective:

    Having a substance; actually existing.

    Examples:

    "substantial life"

  2. Substantial as an adjective:

    Not imaginary; real; actual; true; veritable.

  3. Substantial as an adjective:

    Corporeal; material; firm.

  4. Substantial as an adjective:

    Having good substance; strong; stout; solid; firm.

    Examples:

    "usex substantial cloth"

    "usex a substantial fence or wall"

  5. Substantial as an adjective:

    Possessed of goods or an estate; moderately wealthy.

    Examples:

    "usex a substantial freeholder"

  6. Substantial as an adjective:

    Large in size, quantity, or value; ample; significant.

    Examples:

    "usex He inherited a substantial amount of money from his uncle."

    "usex A substantial number of people went to the event."

  7. Substantial as an adjective:

    Most important; essential.

  8. Substantial as an adjective:

    Satisfying; having sufficient substance to be nourishing or filling.

    Examples:

    "usex I don't just want a snack; I need something substantial."

    "usex Teddy had a few crackers in his backpack, but he needed something more substantial if he was to survive a three-day trek."

  1. Substantial as a noun:

    Anything having substance; an essential part.

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