different between useful vs substantial

English

Etymology

From use +? -ful.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?ju?sf?l/

Adjective

useful (comparative usefuller or more useful, superlative usefullest or most useful)

1. Having a practical or beneficial use.

   Synonyms: noteful, serviceable, utilitarian, utile

   Antonyms: unuseful, useless, harmful

Usage notes

• Prepositions: useful is used in useful for <purpose>, useful for <person> and useful to <person>. The words useful to are also found in constructions such as It is useful to do, in which to marks an infinitive rather than being a preposition.

Derived terms

Translations

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.