1. of, relating to, or having the characteristics of a substantive or noun
Usage: grammar

Examples

• The word ‘running’ has a substantival function in the phrase ‘running is good exercise.’
• In this sentence, the adjective takes on a substantival role.
• The professor explained the substantival use of participles in English.
• Many gerunds serve a substantival purpose in complex sentences.
• The substantival nature of this phrase makes it the subject of the sentence.