I. sub ‧ stan ‧ tive 1 /səbˈstæntɪv, ˈsʌbstəntɪv/ BrE AmE adjective
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ substance , ↑ substantiation , ↑ substantive ; adjective : ↑ substantial ≠ ↑ insubstantial , ↑ substantive ; verb : ↑ substantiate ; adverb : ↑ substantially ]
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: substantif , from Late Latin substantivus , from Latin substantia ; ⇨ ↑ substance ]
formal dealing with things that are important or real
substantive matters/issues
The State Department reported that substantive discussions had taken place with Beijing.
—substantively adverb
II. sub ‧ stan ‧ tive 2 /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ substance , ↑ substantiation , ↑ substantive ; adjective : ↑ substantial ≠ ↑ insubstantial , ↑ substantive ; verb : ↑ substantiate ; adverb : ↑ substantially ]
technical a noun