Material vs. Substance — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 9, 2024
Material refers to the physical components from which things are made, whereas substance denotes the essence or makeup of matter, often focusing on chemical composition.
Difference Between Material and Substance
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Materials are often tangible and used in the context of manufacturing or construction, denoting the physical items like wood, steel, or fabric. Substance, on the other hand, emphasizes the composition and inherent properties of matter. It can refer to any form of matter with a consistent makeup, including elements, compounds, or mixtures.
Materials can be categorized based on their origin (natural or synthetic) and their properties (conductive, magnetic, etc.), playing a crucial role in engineering and art. They are tangible and often visible in the finished product or structure. Substances are identified through their chemical makeup and can exist in various states (solid, liquid, gas).
Materials are selected for their practical application, substances are defined by their chemical and physical properties. For instance, water is a substance composed of hydrogen and oxygen. Understanding substances is crucial in fields like chemistry, pharmacology, and environmental science, where the focus is on interactions at the molecular or atomic level.
While materials are central to the fields of engineering, architecture, and manufacturing, focusing on the choice and manipulation of physical resources, substances are more about the study and application of chemical and physical properties in science and technology.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Physical components used in making things.
The essence or makeup of matter.
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Focus
Practical application and physical properties.
Chemical composition and inherent properties.
Examples
Wood, steel, fabric.
Water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2).
Usage Context
Engineering, construction, art.
Chemistry, pharmacology, environmental science.
Nature
Tangible and often visible in products.
Defined by chemical makeup, may not be visible.
Compare with Definitions
Material
Glass is a transparent material used in windows.
The building features large glass windows.
Substance
Mercury is a liquid metal substance at room temperature.
Mercury is used in thermometers.
Material
Wood is a natural material used for furniture.
The table is made of high-quality wood.
Substance
Water is a substance essential for life.
The bottle was filled with clear water.
Material
Fabric is a material for clothing.
This dress is made of silk fabric.
Substance
Alcohol is a volatile substance used in beverages.
The solution contains 70% alcohol.
Material
Plastic is a versatile synthetic material.
The containers are made of durable plastic.
Substance
Oxygen is a gas that is a vital substance for breathing.
Plants produce oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis.
Material
Steel is a strong material for construction.
The bridge's framework consists of steel.
Substance
Gold is a valuable substance with various uses.
The jewelry is crafted from pure gold.
Material
A person who is qualified or suited for a position or activity
The members of the board felt that she was vice-presidential material.
Substance
That which has mass and occupies space; matter.
Material
A material is a substance or mixture of substances that constitutes an object. Materials can be pure or impure, living or non-living matter.
Substance
A material of a particular kind or constitution.
Material
The substance or substances out of which a thing is or can be made.
Substance
A drug, chemical, or other material (such as glue) that one is dependent on or uses habitually and that is often illegal or subject to government regulation
Which substance was he abusing?.
Material
Something, such as an idea or information, that is to be refined and made or incorporated into a finished effort
Material for a comedy.
Substance
The most important part or idea of what is said or written; the essence or gist
The substance of the report.
Material
Materials Tools or apparatus for the performance of a given task
Writing materials.
Substance
That which is real or practical in quality or character; practical value
A plan without substance.
Material
Yard goods or cloth.
Substance
Significance or importance
Did he accomplish anything of substance?.
Material
Of, relating to, or composed of matter.
Substance
Density; body
Air has little substance.
Material
Of, relating to, or affecting physical well-being; bodily
"the moral and material welfare of all good citizens" (Theodore Roosevelt).
Substance
Material possessions; goods; wealth
A person of substance.
Material
Of or concerned with the physical as distinct from the intellectual or spiritual
"Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force, that thoughts rule the world" (Ralph Waldo Emerson).
Substance
Physical matter; material.
Material
Being both relevant and consequential; crucial
Testimony material to the inquiry.
Substance
A form of matter that has constant chemical composition and characteristic properties.
Material
(Philosophy) Of or relating to the matter of reasoning, rather than the form.
Substance
The essential part of anything; the most vital part.
Material
Having to do with matter; consisting of matter.
This compound has a number of interesting material properties.
Substance
Substantiality; solidity; firmness.
Some textile fabrics have little substance.
Material
Worldly, as opposed to spiritual.
Don't let material concerns get in the way of living a happy life.
Substance
Material possessions; estate; property; resources.
A man of substance
Material
Significant.
You've made several material contributions to this project.
This is the most material fact in this lawsuit.
Substance
Drugs illegal narcotics
Substance abuse
Material
Matter which may be shaped or manipulated, particularly in making something.
Asphalt, composed of oil and sand, is a widely used material for roads.
Substance
(theology) Hypostasis.
Material
Text written for a specific purpose.
We were a warm-up act at the time; we didn't have enough original material to headline.
Substance
To give substance to; to make real or substantial.
Material
A sample or specimens for study.
Substance
That which underlies all outward manifestations; substratum; the permanent subject or cause of phenomena, whether material or spiritual; that in which properties inhere; that which is real, in distinction from that which is apparent; the abiding part of any existence, in distinction from any accident; that which constitutes anything what it is; real or existing essence.
These cooks, how they stamp, and strain, and grind,And turn substance into accident!
Heroic virtue did his actions guide,And he the substance, not the appearance, chose.
Material
Cloth to be made into a garment. Fabric.
You'll need about a yard of material to make this.
Substance
The most important element in any existence; the characteristic and essential components of anything; the main part; essential import; purport.
This edition is the same in substance with the Latin.
It is insolent in words, in manner; but in substance it is not only insulting, but alarming.
Material
A person, or people collectively, who are qualified for a certain position or activity.
Boy/girlfriend material
Marriage material
We have lots of presidential material in various public offices.
Substance
Body; matter; material of which a thing is made; hence, substantiality; solidity; firmness; as, the substance of which a garment is made; some textile fabrics have little substance.
Material
Related data of various kinds, especially if collected as the basis for a document or book.
Substance
Material possessions; estate; property; resources.
And there wasted his substance with riotous living.
Thy substance, valued at the highest rate,Can not amount unto a hundred marks.
We are destroying many thousand lives, and exhausting our substance, but not for our own interest.
Material
The substance that something is made or composed of.
Substance
Same as Hypostasis, 2.
Material
(chess) All of a player's pieces and pawns on the chessboard.
Substance
To furnish or endow with substance; to supply property to; to make rich.
Material
To form from matter; to materialize.
Substance
That which has mass and occupies space;
An atom is the smallest indivisible unit of matter
Material
Consisting of matter; not spiritual; corporeal; physical; as, material substance or bodies.
The material elements of the universe.
Substance
The stuff of which an object consists
Material
Pertaining to, or affecting, the physical nature of man, as distinguished from the mental or moral nature; relating to the bodily wants, interests, and comforts; as, material well-being; material comforts.
Substance
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
Material
Of solid or weighty character; not insubstantial; of consequence; not be dispensed with; important; significant.
Discourse, which was always material, never trifling.
I shall, in the account of simple ideas, set down only such as are most material to our present purpose.
Substance
The idea that is intended;
What is the meaning of this proverb?
Material
Pertaining to the matter, as opposed to the form, of a thing. See Matter.
Substance
Considerable capital (wealth or income);
He is a man of means
Material
The substance or matter of which anything is made or may be made.
Substance
What a communication that is about something is about
Material
To form from matter; to materialize.
Material
The tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object;
Coal is a hard black material
Wheat is the stuff they use to make bread
Material
Information (data or ideas or observations) that can be used or reworked into a finished form;
The archives provided rich material for a definitive biography
Material
Things needed for doing or making something;
Writing materials
Useful teaching materials
Material
Artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting or crocheting natural or synthetic fibers;
The fabric in the curtains was light and semitraqnsparent
Woven cloth originated in Mesopotamia around 5000 BC
She measured off enough material for a dress
Material
A person judged suitable for admission or employment;
He was university material
She was vice-presidential material
Material
Concerned with worldly rather than spiritual interests;
Material possessions
Material wealth
Material comforts
Material
Derived from or composed of matter;
The material universe
Material
Directly relevant to a matter especially a law case;
His support made a material difference
Evidence material to the issue at hand
Facts likely to influence the judgment are called material facts
A material witness
Material
Concerned with or affecting physical as distinct from intellectual or psychological well-being;
Material needs
The moral and material welfare of all good citizens
Material
Having material or physical form or substance;
That which is created is of necessity corporeal and visible and tangible
Material
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
Common Curiosities
Are all materials made of substances?
Yes, all materials are made of substances since materials are composed of matter with specific chemical compositions.
Why is understanding substances important in chemistry?
Understanding substances is crucial in chemistry to predict reactions, properties, and applications of matter.
How do substances relate to environmental science?
Substances are studied in environmental science to understand their impact on ecosystems, pollution, and health.
What is the main difference between material and substance?
Material refers to the physical items used to make things, focusing on practical application, whereas substance refers to the chemical makeup and inherent properties of matter.
Can materials be both natural and synthetic?
Yes, materials can be natural like wood or synthetic like plastic.
What role do materials play in engineering?
Materials are fundamental in engineering for designing and building structures, machines, and devices based on their physical and mechanical properties.
How do you determine the right material for a project?
The right material is determined by factors like strength, durability, cost, and aesthetics relevant to the project's requirements.
Can a substance be a material?
Yes, a substance can be considered a material when it is used to make something, for example, gold used in jewelry.
What is a synthetic material?
A synthetic material is man-made, such as plastic or nylon, created through chemical processes.
What is a pure substance?
A pure substance has a consistent composition and properties, such as distilled water or elemental gold.
What is an example of a material that is also a substance?
Water can be a material in construction and a substance studied in chemistry.
How does the state of a substance affect its use?
The state (solid, liquid, gas) affects how a substance is used, like gases for breathing or liquids for drinking.
Why is the study of materials important in art?
The study of materials is crucial in art for selecting the right medium to express artistic vision and ensure durability.
What distinguishes a mixture from a pure substance?
A mixture contains two or more substances combined without a chemical bond, maintaining their individual properties, unlike a pure substance with consistent composition.
How do properties of materials influence their use?
Properties such as strength, flexibility, and thermal conductivity influence how materials are used in various applications.
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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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
