Substantive — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈsəb-stən-tiv/ sub·stan·tive

Meaning & Definition of Substantive

Substantive (adjective)

  1. having substance, involving matters of major or practical importance to all concerned
  2. considerable in amount or numbers, substantial
  3. real rather than apparent, firm; also, permanent, enduring

Substantive (noun)

  1. noun; broadly, a word or word group functioning syntactically as a noun

Substantive (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. sufficiently large in size, amount, or number to merit attention

    "they've made substantive changes in the nightly newscast"

    similar: biggish, considerable, good, goodly, handsome, healthy, largish, major, respectable, significant, sizable, substantial, tidy
    related: big, bulky, hefty, hulking, outsize, oversize, voluminous, astronomical, bumper, colossal, elephantine, enormous, gigantic, great, herculean, huge, immense, jumbo, king-size, mammoth, massive, monstrous, monumental, prodigious, titanic, tremendous, whopping
    opposite: inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, insubstantial, negligible, nominal
    near: measly, minute, paltry, petty, picayune, picayunish, piddling, puny, trifling, trivial, unimportant, marginal, meager, slight, little, small, tiny, undersized, bitty, diminutive, miniature, pint-size, pocket, pocket-size, pygmy, smallish

Substantive (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in nominal, noun

    similar: nominal, noun, collective noun, common noun, count noun, mass noun, proper noun

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Substantive

The most common words with a similar meaning to Substantive:

biggish, considerable, good, goodly, handsome, healthy, largish, major, respectable, significant, sizable, substantial, tidy, nominal, noun, collective noun, common noun, count noun, mass noun, proper noun

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Substantive

Words with the opposite meaning of Substantive:

inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, insubstantial, negligible, nominal

Related Words for Substantive

big, bulky, hefty, hulking, outsize, oversize, voluminous, astronomical, bumper, colossal, elephantine, enormous, gigantic, great, herculean, huge, immense, jumbo, king-size, mammoth, massive, monstrous, monumental, prodigious, titanic, tremendous, whopping

Near Antonyms of Substantive

measly, minute, paltry, petty, picayune, picayunish, piddling, puny, trifling, trivial, unimportant, marginal, meager, slight, little, small, tiny, undersized, bitty, diminutive, miniature, pint-size, pocket, pocket-size, pygmy, smallish

Word Forms of Substantive

Derived words: substantively (adverb), substantiveness (noun), substantivize (transitive verb)

Origin & Etymology of Substantive

Middle English, from Anglo-French sustentif see substantive:2

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Substantive

substantive due process, substantive right

Frequently Asked Questions about Substantive

What does "Substantive" mean?

"Substantive" means having substance, involving matters of major or practical importance to all concerned. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: having substance, involving matters of major or practical importance to all concerned. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Substantive"?

Other words for "Substantive" include biggish, considerable, good, goodly, handsome, healthy, largish and major. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Substantive" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Substantive"?

There are 47 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Substantive". Common alternatives include biggish, considerable, good, goodly, handsome, healthy, largish, major, respectable and significant.

What is the opposite of "Substantive"?

Antonyms of "Substantive" include inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, insubstantial, negligible and nominal. Near antonyms include measly, minute, paltry and petty.

How do you use "Substantive" in a sentence?

Examples of "Substantive" in a sentence: "they've made substantive changes in the nightly newscast".

Is "Substantive" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Substantive" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Substantive"?

"Substantive" is pronounced /ˈsəb-stən-tiv/ and divided into syllables as sub·stan·tive.

What is the origin of the word "Substantive"?

"Substantive" comes from Middle English, from Anglo-French sustentif see substantive:2. First known use: 14th century.