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substantive Definition

sub·stan·tive (sub′stən tiv, səb stan′tiv)

adjective

  1. existing independently; not dependent upon or subordinate to another
  2. of considerable amount or quantity; substantial
  3. having a real existence; actual
    1. of, containing, or dealing with the essential elements; essential
    2. having direct bearing on a matter
  5. of or relating to legal rights and principles as distinguished from legal procedures
  6. becoming fixed without the use of a mordant: said of a dye
  7. Gram.
    1. expressing existence the substantive verb “to be”
    2. of or used as a substantive

Etymology: LME < LL substantivus < L substantia: see substance

noun

  1. something substantive
  2. Gram. a noun or any other word or group of words that functions as a noun; nominal

substantive Related Forms

sub′·stan·ti′·val (-tī′vəl) adjective sub′·stan·ti′·vally adverb or sub′·stan·tively sub′·stan·tive·ness noun

substantive Synonyms

substantive

n.

nominal, common noun, proper noun; see noun.

substantive Usage Examples

Adjective complement with noun phrase

have: Do you have anything substantive to say ( apart from confirming my arguments ), or is this it?

Modifies a noun

  • revision: Principal Investigator to discuss outcome with Center Lead and agree plan to complete substantive revision of the project ( with support as agreed ).
  • motion: Friend the Foreign Secretary, about having a debate on foreign policy on a substantive motion.
  • reply: A substantive reply to the complaint will be provided in due course.
  • jurisdiction: The Adjudicator may rule on his own substantive jurisdiction, and as to the scope of the Adjudication.
  • hearing: The costs in respect of the original substantive hearing had still not been paid.
  • determination: The substantive determination, which is the final judgment, always remains with the commissioners.

Modifying Another Word

  • very: The talks were detailed, constructive, and very substantive.
  • not: Brief extracts from a story are permitted provided they are not substantive.
  • only: In a series of amendments to the only substantive item of business this week, ahead of the o. .
  • little: As has been noted above there is little substantive evidence, only anecdotes about the odd individual case.
  • also: This was particularly true of complex cases where there were also substantive issues in dispute between householders or where legal proceedings were envisaged.
  • preferably: These links are included because these sites have unique, relevant and preferably substantive content relating to ethnicity and/or conflict in the country concerned.

Infinitive complement

say: Do you have anything substantive to say ( apart from confirming my arguments ), or is this it?

Used with adjective complement

  • become: Every decision is held in pending for four days before it becomes substantive.
  • make: In April 2001 I successfully applied for secondment as Practice Placement Facilitator which was made substantive in June 2003.

Preposition: in

nature: The talks are all important in themselves and substantive in nature.