Pronunciation: ' s ə b-st ə n-tiv; 2c & 3 also s ə b- ' stan-tiv
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French sustentif
Date: 14th century
1 : being a totally independent entity
2 a : real rather than apparent : FIRM <need substantive evidence to prove her guilt> also : PERMANENT , ENDURING b : belonging to the substance of a thing : ESSENTIAL c : expressing existence <the substantive verb is the verb to be > d : requiring or involving no mordant <a substantive dyeing process>
3 a : having the nature or function of a grammatical substantive <a substantive phrase> b : relating to or having the character of a noun or pronominal term in logic
4 : considerable in amount or numbers : SUBSTANTIAL <made substantive progress>
5 : creating and defining rights and duties < substantive law> ― compare PROCEDURAL
6 : having substance : involving matters of major or practical importance to all concerned < substantive discussions among world leaders>
– sub · stan · tive · ly adverb
– sub · stan · tive · ness noun