substantive

[ suhb-stuhn-tiv ]
See synonyms for substantive on Thesaurus.com
nounGrammar.
  1. a noun.

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

adjective
  1. Grammar.

    • pertaining to substantives.

    • used in a sentence like a noun: a substantive adjective.

    • expressing existence: “to be” is a substantive verb.

  2. having independent existence; independent.

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

  2. real or actual.

  3. of considerable amount or quantity.

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

  5. 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).

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

Origin of substantive

1
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, adverb
  • sub·stan·tive·ness, noun
  • non·sub·stan·tive, adjective
  • non·sub·stan·tive·ness, noun
  • un·sub·stan·tive, adjective

Words Nearby substantive

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How to use substantive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for substantive

substantive

/ (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

  1. of substantial quantity

  2. solid in foundation or basis

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

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

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

Origin of substantive

1
C15: from Late Latin substantīvus, from Latin substāre to stand beneath; see substance
  • Abbreviation: s, sb, subst

Derived forms of substantive

  • substantival (ˌsʌbstənˈtaɪvəl), adjective
  • substantivally, adverb
  • substantively, adverb
  • substantiveness, noun

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