Meanings
plural nouns substantive
- obsoletegrammarA word that can be used to refer to a person, animal, place, thing, phenomenon, substance, quality, or idea; one of the basic parts of speech in many languages, including English.
Q. What is a Noun? A. The Name of a Thing. Q. How many Sorts of Nouns are there? [...] A. A Noun Substantive, and a Noun Adjective.
1753, Thomas Martin, An Explanation of the Accidence and Grammar To the End of the Syntax in which The Grounds of each Rule in the Syntax are laid down in the plainest Manner. Compiled By way of Question and Answer, For the Use of Schools., London, page 11 more example
A Noun is a word which serves to name and distinguish some thing; [...]. There are two sorts of nouns; one is called a noun substantive, and the other a noun adjective.
1786, Signor Veneroni, The Complete Italian Master; Containing The best and easiest Rules for attaining that Language, London, page 6Synonyms: substantive, substantive noun, naming word
Synonyms & antonyms
nounA word that can be used to refer to a person, animal, place, thing, phenomenon, substance, quality, or idea; one of the basic parts of speech in many languages, including English.
Origin
- Latinnōmen substantīvum
- Middle Englishnoun substantyf
- Englishnoun substantive
From Middle English noun substantyf, a calque of Latin nōmen substantīvum.
More words from Middle English, Latin
Full word history & related roots →Cite this entry
noun substantive. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/noun%20substantive
“noun substantive.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/noun%20substantive. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “noun substantive,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/noun%20substantive.
Source: noun substantive on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.