1. Of or relating to the real nature or essential elements of something
   "a substantive argument";
   - substantial
    
2. (law) defining rights and duties as opposed to giving the rules by which rights and duties are established
   "substantive law";
   - essential
    
3. Being on topic and prompting thought
   "a substantive discussion";
   - meaty

1. Any word or group of words functioning as a noun
   "In the sentence 'The quick brown fox jumps,' 'fox' is the substantive"

Derived forms: substantives

See also: essential, meaningful

Type of: word

Encyclopedia: Substantive