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Modest vs Substantial - What's the difference?

modest | substantial |

As adjectives the difference between modest and substantial

is that modest is not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements, unpretentious, humble while substantial is having to substance; actually existing; real; as, substantial life.

As a noun substantial is

anything having substance; an essential part.

modest

English

Adjective

(en-adj)
  • Not bragging or boasting about oneself or one's achievements, unpretentious, humble.
  • Small, moderate in size.
    • He earns a modest amount of money.
    Her latest novel was a modest success.
  • (especially of behaviour or clothing) Avoiding being sexually suggestive.

    • Synonyms

    * See also * See also * See also

    Antonyms

    * immodest

    Derived terms

    * modest proposal * modesty

    substantial

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having to substance; actually existing; real; as, substantial life.
  • Not seeming or imaginary; not illusive; real; solid; true; veritable.
  • * "to do some substantial good, is the compensation for much incidental imperfection" - Cardinal Newman, The Rise and Progress of Universities
  • Corporeal; material; firm.
  • Having good substance; strong; stout; solid; firm; as, substantial cloth; a substantial fence or wall.
  • possessed of goods or an estate; moderately wealthy; responsible; as, a substantial freeholder.
  • Large in size, quantity, or value; as, a substantial amount of money; vast
  • Most important; essential.
  • Ample or full.
    • A substantial amount of people in this buliding
  • Significantly great.

    • Derived terms

    * consubstantial * insubstantial * substantiality * substantially * substantialness

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Anything having substance; an essential part.