substantive
Americannoun
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a noun.
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a pronoun or other word or phrase functioning or inflected like a noun.
adjective
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Grammar.
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pertaining to substantives.
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used in a sentence like a noun.
a substantive adjective.
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expressing existence.
“to be” is a substantive verb.
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having independent existence; independent.
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belonging to the real nature or essential part of a thing; essential.
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real or actual.
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of considerable amount or quantity.
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possessing substance; having practical importance, value, or effect.
substantive issues under discussion.
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Law. pertaining to the rules of right which courts are called on to apply, as distinguished from rules of procedure (opposed to adjective).
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(of dye colors) attaching directly to the material without the aid of a mordant (opposed to adjective).
noun
adjective
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of, relating to, containing, or being the essential element of a thing
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having independent function, resources, or existence
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of substantial quantity
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solid in foundation or basis
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grammar denoting, relating to, or standing in place of a noun
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relating to the essential legal principles administered by the courts, as opposed to practice and procedure Compare adjective
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(of a dye or colour) staining the material directly without use of a mordant
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of substantive
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Late Latin substantīvus, equivalent to Latin substant(ia) substance + -īvus -ive
Explanation
When you talk about substantive change, you mean change that really makes a difference. After a substantive discussion, you will have an in-depth understanding of what you are talking about. When something is substantive, there is a lot of "there there," be it meaning or volume of things. The word brings a serious tone. While it is often used to talk about problems and their solutions, a big steak dinner could be called substantive, as could a very long piece of writing. In any case, you use it when there is a lot of substance involved.
Vocabulary lists containing substantive
Just Mercy
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The Freedom of Information Act (2016)
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You Bring the Distant Near
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Chinese and US leaders Xi Jinping and Donald Trump concluded a summit in Beijing with some symbolic wins that made for good optics domestically but produced few substantive agreements, analysts said.
From Barron's • May 15, 2026
Murdoch said there have been no substantive talks with Fox.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026
When a term like “mother” is employed so generously, it loses all substantive heft.
From Salon • May 10, 2026
The deck is stacked against meaningful, substantive discussions, especially when moderators ask — as they did several times — for one-word answers.
From Los Angeles Times • May 9, 2026
My popularity there is based on more substantive qualities than physical maturity.
From "You Bring the Distant Near" by Mitali Perkins
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
