substance in WordNet English dictionary

1. the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
   "the gist of the prosecutor's argument"; "the heart and soul of the Republican Party"; "the nub of the story"
   kernel  substance  core  center  centre  essence  gist  heart  heart and soul  inwardness  marrow  meat  nub  pith  sum  nitty-gritty 
   
2. what a communication that is about something is about
   message  content  subject matter  substance 
   
3. the idea that is intended
   "What is the meaning of this proverb?"
   meaning  substance 
   
4. considerable capital (wealth or income)
   "he is a man of means"
   means  substance 
   
5. the real physical matter of which a person or thing consists
   "DNA is the substance of our genes"
   substance 
   
6. a particular kind or species of matter with uniform properties
   "shigella is one of the most toxic substances known to man"
   substance 
   
7. material of a particular kind or constitution
   "the immune response recognizes invading substances"
   substance