adj depending on itself; independent.
2. substantive ·adj enduring; solid; firm; substantial.
3. substantive ·vt to substantivize.
4. substantive ·adj betokening or expressing existence; as, the substantive verb, that is, the verb to be.
5. substantive ·adj pertaining to, or constituting, the essential part or principles; as, the law substantive.
6. substantive ·noun a noun or name; the part of speech which designates something that exists, or some object of thought, either material or immaterial; as, the words man, horse, city, goodness, excellence, are substantives.