substantive

comparative more substantive · superlative most substantive

1. Of the essence or essential element of a thing.

   substantive information

   1 more example

   In one sense the first debate achieved the worst of all worlds: it managed to be technical, even dull, without being substantive or especially honest.

   2012 October 6, “The first presidential debate: Back in the centre, back in the game”, in The Economist, archived from the original on 08 Mar 2023

   Synonyms: essential, in essence

   1. broadlyConstituting the substance of content rather than its style, and thus always nontrivial.

      substantive changes made by the lawyers

      1 more example

      Substantive editing is never trivial, whereas some aspects of copyediting are trivial.

      Synonyms: essential, in essence

2. Having substance; enduring; solid; firm; substantial.

   Once more then, strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner;

   1836 [1829], William Hazlitt, “Definition of wit”, in Literary Remains of the Late William Hazlitt, page 19

   Synonyms: meaty, substantial · Antonyms: superficial, trivial

3. lawApplying to essential legal principles and rules of right.

   substantive law

   1 more example

   So this test, this whole area of substantive due process, is tricky for some of the reasons you say. That’s been a criticism of the doctrine in general and a criticism of the general notion that we can have rights that the Constitution doesn’t specify, precisely because of the kind of inquiry that it invites judges to undertake.

   2025 October 16, Ross Douthat, quoting Amy Coney Barrett, “Amy Coney Barrett Is Looking Beyond the Trump Era”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 20 Oct 2025

   Antonyms: adjective, procedural

4. chemistryNot needing the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.

   Antonyms: adjective

5. Depending on itself; independent.

   Hee therefore taking into Conſideration, how ſufficient and ſuſstantiue this Land was, to maintaine it ſelfe without any aid (at all) of the foreigner; […]

   1627 (indicated as 1626), Francis [Bacon], “New Atlantis. A Worke Vnfinished.”, in Sylua Syluarum: Or A Naturall Historie. In Ten Centuries. […], London: […] William Rawley […]; [p]rinted by J[ohn] H[aviland] for William Lee […], →OCLC, page 16

6. grammarOf or pertaining to a substantive.

   Synonyms: substantival

7. governmentActually and legally held, as distinct from an acting, temporary or honorary rank or appointment.

plural substantives · alternative abbreviation subst.

1. abbreviationellipsisgrammarEllipsis of noun substantive or substantive noun, a noun or a group of words (a noun phrase) that act as a noun (in a sentence).First known use 16th c.

   The Dutch verb beelden and substantive beelding signify form-giving, creation, and by extension image—as do gestalten and Gestaltung in German, where Neo-Plastic[ism] is translated as Die neue Gestaltung.

   1986, Harry Holtzman, Martin S[amuel] James, “The New Plastic in Painting (1917)”, in The New Art—The New Life: The Collected Writings of Piet Mondrian, Boston, Mass.: G. K. Hall & Co., →ISBN, part I (The De Stijl Years: 1917–24), page 27

   Synonyms: noun, noun substantive

2. Part of a text that carries the meaning, such as words and their ordering.

present singular third person substantives · participle present substantiving · participle past substantived · past substantived

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

   Synonyms: substantivize, nominalize