different between stupendous vs substantial

English

Etymology

First attested from 1547, from Late Latin stupendus (“stunning, amazing”), from Latin stupeo (“(I) am stunned”). Compare stupid. See Latin stupeo for more.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /stu?p?nd?s/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /stju?p?nd?s/
• Rhymes: -?nd?s

Adjective

stupendous (comparative more stupendous, superlative most stupendous)

1. Astonishingly great or large; huge; enormous.

   One cannot appreciate how stupendous the Matterhorn is without seeing it.

2. Of stunning excellence or degree; marvelous.

   The renovator created a stupendous new look for our house.

Synonyms

• colossal, enormous, huge, marvelous, prodigious, terrific, tremendous
• See also Thesaurus:gigantic

Derived terms

• stupendously
• stupendousness

Related terms

• stupid
• stupor

Translations

References

• Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.

English

Etymology

From Old French substantiel.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /s?b?stæn??l/

Adjective

substantial (comparative more substantial, superlative most substantial)

1. Having a substance; actually existing.

   substantial life

2. Not imaginary; real; actual; true; veritable.
   • 1850s, Cardinal John Henry Newman, The Rise and Progress of Universities

     to do some substantial good, is the compensation for much incidental imperfection

3. Corporeal; material; firm.
4. Having good substance; strong; stout; solid; firm.

5. Possessed of goods or an estate; moderately wealthy.

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

7. Most important; essential.
8. Satisfying; having sufficient substance to be nourishing or filling.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

substantial (plural substantials)

1. Anything having substance; an essential part.