substantive

[ suhb-stuhn-tiv ]

/ ˈsʌb stən tɪv /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for substantive on Thesaurus.com

noun Grammar.

a noun.

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

adjective

Grammar.

pertaining to substantives.
used in a sentence like a noun: a substantive adjective.
expressing existence: “to be” is a substantive verb.

having independent existence; independent.

belonging to the real nature or essential part of a thing; essential.

real or actual.

of considerable amount or quantity.

possessing substance; having practical importance, value, or effect: substantive issues under discussion.

Law. pertaining to the rules of right which courts are called on to apply, as distinguished from rules of procedure (opposed to adjective def. 3).

(of dye colors) attaching directly to the material without the aid of a mordant (opposed to adjective def. 4).

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of substantive

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

OTHER WORDS FROM substantive

sub·stan·tive·ly, adverbsub·stan·tive·ness, nounnon·sub·stan·tive, adjectivenon·sub·stan·tive·ness, noun

un·sub·stan·tive, adjective

Words nearby substantive

substantia nigra, substantiate, substantiated, substantiation, substantival, substantive, substantive agreements, substantively, substantive rank, substantive right, substantivize

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use substantive in a sentence

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.
Beth Wilkinson close to completing Washington Football Team investigation, Roger Goodell says|Mark Maske|February 5, 2021|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.
Ethiopia’s unfolding humanitarian crisis, explained by a top aid official|Jen Kirby|December 3, 2020|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.
Morning Report: Local GOP Split on the Way Forward|Voice of San Diego|November 24, 2020|Voice of San Diego
These are just some of the issues that might have come up in a truly substantive conversation around health care.
Last night’s debate ignored some critical health care issues|Sy Mukherjee|October 8, 2020|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.
Startup IonQ drastically ups the quantum computing ante|rhhackettfortune|October 1, 2020|Fortune
These are reactive, not proactive, stances, and they do little to offer substantive solutions.
Men Need A Better Men’s Rights Movement|Nancy Kaffer|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They still just distract us from generally more substantive topics in need of our attention.
#FixTheInternet: The Hashtag That Beat Back Kim Kardashian’s Butt|Emily Shire|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Those who feel moved to add a more substantive reason will say, “Oh yes, and the economy.”
The Real Reason Democrats Lost|Michael Tomasky|November 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This, and only this, is the key to driving real, substantive change in America.
Why ‘Moral Mondays’ Matter: Fulfulling the Jesse Jackson-Rainbow Coalition Legacy|Roland S. Martin|July 28, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Which is more substantive: chained CPI, or criminal justice reform?
The GOP Flees to the Cleve|James Poulos|July 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It is always to be remembered that retrospective legislation is bad in principle only when it affects the substantive law.
The History of England from the Accession of James II.|Thomas Babington Macaulay
Once more there is no definition of the term able-bodied, which is used sometimes as an adjective and sometimes as a substantive.
English Poor Law Policy|Sidney Webb
The word cynocephalus is rather an adjective than a proper substantive, for which reason we have not adopted it.
Buffon's Natural History. Volume IX (of 10)|Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon
Pimmaudizziwin, is a very general substantive expression, in indicating the tenor of being or life.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft
To give these expressions a verbal form, the substantive verb, with its pronominal modifications, must be superadded.
The Indian in his Wigwam|Henry R. Schoolcraft

British Dictionary definitions for substantive

substantive

/ (ˈsʌbstəntɪv) /

noun

grammar a noun or pronoun used in place of a noun

adjective

of, relating to, containing, or being the essential element of a thing

having independent function, resources, or existence

of substantial quantity

solid in foundation or basis

grammar denoting, relating to, or standing in place of a noun

(səbˈstæntɪv) relating to the essential legal principles administered by the courts, as opposed to practice and procedureCompare adjective (def. 3)

(səbˈstæntɪv) (of a dye or colour) staining the material directly without use of a mordant

Abbreviation: s, sb, subst

Derived forms of substantive

substantival (ˌsʌbstənˈtaɪvəl), adjectivesubstantivally, adverbsubstantively, adverbsubstantiveness, noun

Word Origin for substantive

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

substantive

Origin of substantive

OTHER WORDS FROM substantive

Words nearby substantive

Words related to substantive

How to use substantive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for substantive

Derived forms of substantive

Word Origin for substantive