substantive

[ suhb-stuhn-tiv ]

/ ˈsʌb stən tɪv /

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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).

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

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Did you ever collect all those state quarters? Put them to good use on this quiz about curious state monikers and the facts around them.

Question 1 of 8

Mississippi’s nickname comes from the magnificent trees that grow there. What is it?

The Sunflower State

The Evergreen State

The Magnolia State

The Mockingbird State

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of substantive

1350–1400; Middle English <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·ly, adverb

non·sub·stan·tive·ness, nounun·sub·stan·tive, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Example sentences from the Web for substantive

Therefore, for Dems, it’s imperative they win both Georgia Senate seats to have a fighting chance of passing substantive legislation in a timely manner, if at all.
All Eyes on Georgia|Tracy Moran|November 19, 2020|Ozy
Critics are advised not to be so snobby or to take solace in the assumption that these books will eventually lead readers to more substantive works.
Paulo Coelho’s ‘The Archer’ aims for profundity but misses|Ron Charles|November 11, 2020|Washington Post
Algorithms that determine which users get to see what content are mysterious to just about everyone, which is why a few of the more substantive questions during yesterday’s hearing were in regards to transparency.
This clip is all you need to know about the latest Congressional hearing on social media|Stan Horaczek|October 30, 2020|Popular Science
His made a more substantive amendment to the House bill banning the acquisition of certain surplus military equipment.
Ban on chokeholds, no-knock warrants among bills Northam signed into law|Laura Vozzella|October 28, 2020|Washington Post

His goal will be to keep the hearing focused on substantive policy issues as lawmakers weigh changes to Section 230, or a complete revocation.
Facebook, Google, Twitter CEOs clash with Congress in pre-election showdown|Tony Romm, Rachel Lerman, Cat Zakrzewski, Heather Kelly, Elizabeth Dwoskin|October 28, 2020|Washington Post
Instead of substantively responding to these failed expectations, the ACE takes a spin-cycle approach.
Colleges Lawyer Up Before Claire McCaskill Rape Inquiry|Emily Shire|June 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Instead, busing was a failure—conceptually and substantively—because of faulty liberal assumptions.
When America Said "No" to the War on Segregation|Jamelle Bouie|February 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Substantively, as opposed to stylistically, there was no New Left.
The Revolt Against the Masses and the Roots of Modern Liberalism|Fred Siegel|January 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Substantively, I think he pretty well signaled that the Justice Department isn't going to take up this case.
Obama's Race Remarks|Michael Tomasky|July 19, 2013|DAILY BEAST
"All the denials can be literally technically true without anything in the story being substantively false," he told me.
Internet Companies Deny They're Helping the NSA Collect User Data. Should We Believe Them?|Megan McArdle|June 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He would have been ugly, he substantively granted, had he not been happy; he would have been dangerous had he not been warranted.
The Awkward Age|Henry James
I have myself used this word substantively, to express the rippled edge of a wing-feather.
Arrows of the Chace, v. 2|John Ruskin
Cardinal numerals, used substantively, are also followed by the genitive: zweinzec starker man, twenty strong men.
A Middle High German Primer|Joseph Wright
Stillness; the adjective used substantively, for the sake of the rhyme.
The Lady of the Lake|Sir Walter Scott
Fleury differs a little from this legend, but has substantively preserved it.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 9 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)

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

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substantive

noun Grammar.

adjective

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THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Origin of substantive

OTHER WORDS FROM substantive

Example sentences from the Web for substantive

British Dictionary definitions for substantive

noun

adjective

Derived forms of substantive

Word Origin for substantive

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

substantive

noun Grammar.

adjective

QUIZZES

THINK YOU’VE GOT A HANDLE ON THIS US STATE NICKNAME QUIZ?

Origin of substantive

OTHER WORDS FROM substantive

Words related to substantive

Example sentences from the Web for substantive

British Dictionary definitions for substantive

noun

adjective

Derived forms of substantive

Word Origin for substantive