How do you pronounce substantive?

The recorded pronunciation is /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/.

Where does substantive come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

substantive

/ˈsʌbstəntɪv/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.41 in modern English

Syllables: sub-stan-tive
IPA: /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adj

Of the essence or essential element of a thing.

adj

Of the essence or essential element of a thing.

adj

Having substance; enduring; solid; firm; substantial.

adj

Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right.

adj

Not needing the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.

adj

Depending on itself; independent.

adj

Of or pertaining to a substantive.

adj

Actually and legally held, as distinct from an acting, temporary or honorary rank or appointment.

Example Sentences

"substantive information"
"In one sense the first debate achieved the worst of all worlds: it managed to be technical, even dull, without being substantive or especially honest."
"Substantive editing is never trivial, whereas some aspects of copyediting are trivial."
"substantive changes made by the lawyers"
"Once more then, strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner;"
"substantive law"

Etymology

From Middle English substantif, from Old French substantif.

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: substantif

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈsʌbstəntɪv/

Inflected Forms

more substantive (comparative) most substantive (superlative) substantives (plural) subst. (alternative, abbreviation) substantives (present, singular) substantiving (participle, present) substantived (participle, past) substantived (past)

Derived Forms

insubstantive nonsubstantive substantively substantiveness substantivisation substantivise substantivize substantivity unsubstantive substantival substantivally

Phrases

common substantive noun substantive proper substantive adjective substantive case substantive due process substantive genitive substantive law substantive verb

Frequently Paired Words

accidental

Synonyms

essential in essence meaty substantial substantival noun noun substantive substantivize nominalize

Antonyms

superficial trivial adjective procedural