Significant vs. Substantial — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
"Significant" implies an important or meaningful impact, whereas "substantial" refers to a considerable amount, size, or worth.
Difference Between Significant and Substantial
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Significant" often connotes importance due to impact or meaning, while "substantial" denotes a considerable amount or size. When something is significant, it has notable relevance or consequences, perhaps in a statistical, emotional, or contextual sense. "Substantial" typically refers to the quantity or magnitude of something, suggesting that it is of ample or generous proportions.
In the realm of statistics, "significant" has a specific technical meaning, referring to results that are unlikely to occur by chance, thus bearing importance for hypotheses testing. "Substantial," however, is used more subjectively in everyday language and does not have a technical definition, being more about a subjective evaluation of size, extent, or importance.
Significant developments in a field might influence its future direction, indicating the importance of such events. Substantial changes, however, imply that the changes are large in scope or size, potentially affecting the field in a more quantifiable way. While significant changes can be small yet meaningful, substantial changes are always large, though not always with deep implications.
A significant event is remembered for its impact or the change it brings about. A substantial meal, on the other hand, is noted for its size and the satisfaction it provides. Significant can be used to describe symbolic or representative importance, while substantial more often describes a material or tangible measure.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
Important, notable in effect or meaning.
Considerable in amount, size, or worth.
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Usage in Context
Can denote qualitative importance.
Often denotes quantitative size or extent.
Implication
May not be large in size but has serious implications.
Always large or considerable in size, amount, or degree.
Specificity
Can have a technical use in statistics.
No technical definition, more subjective.
Relation to Importance
Indicates an impact or value beyond size.
Suggests size or quantity itself is of importance.
Compare with Definitions
Significant
Deserving attention; noteworthy.
The scientist made a significant discovery.
Substantial
Strongly built or made.
They lived in a substantial farmhouse.
Significant
Considerably large in amount or degree.
They won by a significant margin.
Substantial
Of a considerable size or value.
The project received substantial funding.
Significant
Having a particular meaning.
Her smile was significant, hinting at her agreement.
Substantial
Large in amount or degree.
She ate a substantial breakfast.
Significant
Being a symbol of something.
The ring was significant of their eternal commitment.
Substantial
Not imaginary; having physical reality.
The evidence was substantial enough to convict.
Significant
Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy
A significant increase in sales
Substantial
Considerable in importance, value, degree, amount, or extent
Made a substantial improvement.
Won by a substantial margin.
Significant
Having a particular meaning; indicative of something
In times of stress her dreams seemed to her especially significant
Substantial
Solidly built; strong
Substantial houses.
Significant
Relating to or having significance.
Substantial
Ample; sustaining
A substantial breakfast.
Significant
Having or expressing a meaning
Are the markings on the stone significant?.
Substantial
Possessing wealth or property; well-to-do.
Significant
Having or expressing a covert or nonverbal meaning; suggestive
A significant glance.
Substantial
Of, relating to, or having substance; material.
Significant
Having or likely to have a major effect; important
A significant change in the tax laws.
Substantial
True or real; not imaginary.
Significant
Fairly large in amount or quantity
Significant casualties.
No significant opposition.
Substantial
Achieving the goal of justice itself, not merely the procedure or form that is a means to justice
Principles of substantial justice.
Significant
(Statistics) Of or relating to observations or occurrences that are too closely correlated to be attributed to chance and therefore indicate a systematic relationship.
Substantial
Having a substance; actually existing.
Substantial life
Significant
Signifying something; carrying meaning.
A significant word or sound
A significant look
Substantial
Not imaginary; real; actual; true; veritable.
Significant
Having a covert or hidden meaning.
Substantial
Corporeal; material; firm.
Significant
Having a noticeable or major effect.
That was a significant step in the right direction.
The First World War was a significant event.
Substantial
Having good substance; strong; stout; solid; firm.
Substantial cloth
A substantial fence or wall
Significant
Reasonably large in number or amount.
Substantial
Possessed of goods or an estate; moderately wealthy.
A substantial freeholder
Significant
(statistics) Having a low probability of occurring by chance (for example, having high correlation and thus likely to be related).
Substantial
Large in size, quantity, or value; ample; significant.
He inherited a substantial amount of money from his uncle.
A substantial number of people went to the event.
Significant
That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.
Substantial
Most important; essential.
Significant
Fitted or designed to signify or make known somethingl having a meaning; standing as a sign or token; expressive or suggestive; as, a significant word or sound; a significant look.
It was well said of Plotinus, that the stars were significant, but not efficient.
Substantial
Satisfying; having sufficient substance to be nourishing or filling.
I don't just want a snack; I need something substantial.
Teddy had a few crackers in his backpack, but he needed something more substantial if he was to survive a three-day trek.
Significant
Deserving to be considered; important; momentous; as, a significant event.
Substantial
Anything having substance; an essential part.
Significant
That which has significance; a sign; a token; a symbol.
In dumb significants proclaim your thoughts.
Substantial
Belonging to substance; actually existing; real; as, substantial life.
If this atheist would have his chance to be real and substantial agent, he is more stupid than the vulgar.
Significant
Important in effect or meaning;
A significant change in tax laws
A significant change in the Constitution
A significant contribution
Significant details
Statistically significant
Substantial
Not seeming or imaginary; not illusive; real; solid; true; veritable.
If happinessbe a substantial good.
The substantial ornaments of virtue.
Significant
Fairly large;
Won by a substantial margin
Substantial
Corporeal; material; firm.
The rainbow [appears to be] a large substantial arch.
Significant
Too closely correlated to be attributed to chance and therefore indicating a systematic relation;
The interaction effect is significant at the .01 level
No significant difference was found
Substantial
Having good substance; strong; stout; solid; firm; as, substantial cloth; a substantial fence or wall.
Significant
Rich in significance or implication;
A meaning look
Pregnant with meaning
Substantial
Possessed of goods or an estate; moderately wealthy; responsible; as, a substantial freeholder.
Significant
Having likely non-random effects as in statistics.
The study found a significant correlation between the two variables.
Substantial
Fairly large;
Won by a substantial margin
Substantial
Being the essence or essential element of a thing;
Substantial equivalents
Substantive information
Substantial
Having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary;
The substantial world
A mere dream, neither substantial nor practical
Most ponderous and substantial things
Substantial
Providing abundant nourishment;
A hearty meal
Good solid food
Ate a substantial breakfast
Substantial
Of good quality and condition; solidly built;
A solid foundation
Several substantial timber buildings
Substantial
Having substance; being essential or fundamental.
Their argument lacked substantial proof.
Common Curiosities
Does significant always mean big?
No, it refers to importance rather than size.
Can a fact be significant but not substantial?
Yes, facts can be important without being large in size or amount.
Can something be substantial without being significant?
Yes, it can be large in size without having importance.
Is a significant amount always smaller than a substantial amount?
Not necessarily; "significant" can refer to importance, not just size.
Can a small detail be significant?
Yes, if it has important implications or meaning.
Can the significance of an event change over time?
Yes, as its impact or importance is reassessed.
Is substantial used for describing quality?
It’s more commonly used for quantity, size, or extent.
Can "significant" be used in a statistical sense?
Yes, it describes results unlikely due to chance in statistics.
Does "substantial" imply good quality?
It implies considerable size or value, not necessarily quality.
Would a large but empty building be called substantial?
Yes, due to its size, but not significant if it has no importance.
Is a substantial change always noticeable?
Yes, because it is large enough to be evident.
Is "significant other" a term for a partner because of size or importance?
It’s because of their importance in someone's life.
Can "substantial" refer to non-material things?
It’s typically used for tangible or material aspects.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
