substantive

[ suhb-stuhn-tiv ]

noun

, Grammar.

1. a noun.
2. a pronoun or other word or phrase functioning or inflected like a noun.

adjective

1. Grammar.
   1. pertaining to substantives.
   2. used in a sentence like a noun:

      a substantive adjective.

   3. expressing existence:

      “to be” is a substantive verb.

2. having independent existence; independent.
3. belonging to the real nature or essential part of a thing; essential.
4. real or actual.
5. of considerable amount or quantity.
6. possessing substance; having practical importance, value, or effect:

   substantive issues under discussion.

7. Law. pertaining to the rules of right which courts are called on to apply, as distinguished from rules of procedure ( adjective def 3 ).
8. (of dye colors) attaching directly to the material without the aid of a mordant ( adjective def 4 ).

substantive

/ ˌsʌbstənˈtaɪvəl; ˈsʌbstəntɪv /

noun

1. grammar a noun or pronoun used in place of a noun

adjective

1. of, relating to, containing, or being the essential element of a thing
2. having independent function, resources, or existence
3. of substantial quantity
4. solid in foundation or basis
5. grammar denoting, relating to, or standing in place of a noun
6. See adjective
   səbˈstæntɪv relating to the essential legal principles administered by the courts, as opposed to practice and procedure Compare adjective
7. səbˈstæntɪv (of a dye or colour) staining the material directly without use of a mordant

Derived Forms

• ˈsubstantiveness, noun
• ˈsubstantively, adverb
• substantival, adjective
• ˌsubstanˈtivally, adverb

Other Words From

• sub·stan·tive·ly adverb
• sub·stan·tive·ness noun
• non·sub·stan·tive adjective
• non·sub·stan·tive·ness noun
• un·sub·stan·tive adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of substantive¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin substantīvus, equivalent to Latin substant(ia) substance + -īvus -ive

Word History and Origins

Origin of substantive¹

C15: from Late Latin substantīvus, from Latin substāre to stand beneath; see substance

Example Sentences

The comments by Goodell at his annual state-of-the-league news conference during Super Bowl week were the league’s first substantive remarks in months on the investigation and ownership dispute.

From Washington Post

So they get the equivalent of $24 for a single person and $48 for a family, which is a very substantive donation that the family themselves can decide to use for what they need the most.

From Vox

In this week’s Environment Report, MacKenzie Elmer breaks down the vote, highlighting substantive objections to the plan and some last-minute concerns that women board members didn’t get a chance to speak during the meeting.

From Voice of San Diego

These are just some of the issues that might have come up in a truly substantive conversation around health care.

From Fortune

Kuperberg and Scott Aaronson, a quantum computing expert at the University of Texas at Austin, said IonQ appeared to have made substantive quantum computing progress.

From Fortune

These are reactive, not proactive, stances, and they do little to offer substantive solutions.

From The Daily Beast

They still just distract us from generally more substantive topics in need of our attention.

From The Daily Beast

Those who feel moved to add a more substantive reason will say, “Oh yes, and the economy.”

From The Daily Beast

This, and only this, is the key to driving real, substantive change in America.

From The Daily Beast

Which is more substantive: chained CPI, or criminal justice reform?

From The Daily Beast

It is always to be remembered that retrospective legislation is bad in principle only when it affects the substantive law.

From Project Gutenberg

Once more there is no definition of the term able-bodied, which is used sometimes as an adjective and sometimes as a substantive.

From Project Gutenberg

The word cynocephalus is rather an adjective than a proper substantive, for which reason we have not adopted it.

From Project Gutenberg

Pimmaudizziwin, is a very general substantive expression, in indicating the tenor of being or life.

From Project Gutenberg

To give these expressions a verbal form, the substantive verb, with its pronominal modifications, must be superadded.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• actual
• essential
• existing
• real