Definition of substantive
(Entry 1 of 2)
1
: having substance : involving matters of major or practical importance to all concerned
substantive discussions among world leaders
2
: considerable in amount or numbers : substantial
made substantive progress
b
: belonging to the substance of a thing : essential
c
: expressing existence
the substantive verb is the verb to be
4a
: having the nature or function of a noun
a substantive phrase
b
: relating to or having the character of a noun or pronominal term in logic
5
: creating and defining rights and duties
substantive law
— compare procedural
6
: requiring or involving no mordant
a substantive dyeing process
7
: being a totally independent entity
substantive
nounDefinition of substantive (Entry 2 of 2)
: noun
broadly
: a word or word group functioning syntactically as a noun
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
Test Your Vocabulary
Who Knew?
-
- What is a ruelle?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
Spell words. Make bears.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Share substantive
Time Traveler for substantive
The first known use of substantive was in the 14th century
See more words from the same century