Definition of SUBSTANTIVE

substantive

Plural: substantives

Noun

  • any word or group of words functioning as a noun
  • Ellipsis of noun substantive or substantive noun, a noun or a group of words (a noun phrase) that act as a noun (in a sentence).
  • Part of a text that carries the meaning, such as words and their ordering.

Adjective Satellite

  • having a firm basis in reality and being therefore important, meaningful, or considerable
  • being on topic and prompting thought

Adjective

  • defining rights and duties as opposed to giving the rules by which rights and duties are established
    • "substantive law"

Adj

  • Of the essence or essential element of a thing.
  • Of the essence or essential element of a thing.
  • Constituting the substance of content rather than its style, and thus always nontrivial.
  • Having substance; enduring; solid; firm; substantial.
  • Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right.
  • Not needing the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.
  • Depending on itself; independent.
  • Of or pertaining to a substantive.
  • Actually and legally held, as distinct from an acting, temporary or honorary rank or appointment

Verb

  • To make a word belonging to another part of speech into a substantive (that is, a noun) or use it as a noun.

Examples

  • substantive changes made by the lawyers
  • Substantive editing is never trivial, whereas some aspects of copyediting are trivial.
  • substantive information
  • substantive law

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English substantif, from Old French substantif.

Synonyms

essential, meaty, substantial, in essence, nominalize, noun, noun substantive, substantival, substantivize

Scrabble Score: 16

substantive: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
substantive: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
substantive: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 20

substantive: valid Words With Friends Word