What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Physical vs Substantive - What's the difference?

physical | substantive | Synonyms |

Physical is a synonym of substantive.


As adjectives the difference between physical and substantive

is that physical is having to do with the body while substantive is nominalized.

As a noun physical

is physical examination.

physical

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Having to do with the body.
  • Having to do with the material world.
  • * John Stuart Mill
  • Labour, in the physical world, is employed in putting objects in motion.
  • * Macaulay
  • A society sunk in ignorance, and ruled by mere physical force.
  • * {{quote-magazine, title=No hiding place
  • , date=2013-05-25, volume=407, issue=8837, page=74, magazine=(The Economist) citation , passage=In America alone, people spent $170 billion on “direct marketing”—junk mail of both the physical and electronic varieties—last year. Yet of those who received unsolicited adverts through the post, only 3% bought anything as a result.}}
  • Involving bodily force.
  • Having to do with physics.
  • * {{quote-magazine, date=2012-01, author=Michael Riordan, title=Tackling Infinity
  • , volume=100, issue=1, page=86, magazine=(American Scientist) citation , passage=Some of the most beautiful and thus appealing physical theories, including quantum electrodynamics and quantum gravity, have been dogged for decades by infinities that erupt when theorists try to prod their calculations into new domains. Getting rid of these nagging infinities has probably occupied far more effort than was spent in originating the theories.}}
  • (label)
  • (obsolete) Relating to physic, or medicine; medicinal; curative; also, cathartic; purgative.
  • * Sir T. North
  • Physical herbs.
  • * Shakespeare
  • Is Brutus sick? and is it physical / To walk unbraced, and suck up the humours / Of the dank morning?

    Antonyms

    * mental, psychological; having to do with the mind viewed as distinct from body.

    Derived terms

    * antiphysical * physical body * physical chemistry * physical education * physical examination * physical relations * physical therapy * physical world

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Physical examination.
  • How long has it been since your last physical ?

    Synonyms

    * checkup, check-up

    Statistics

    *

    substantive

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Of the essence or essential element of a thing; as, "substantive information".
  • * 2012 , The Economist, 06 Oct 2012 issue; [http://www.economist.com/node/21564222 The first presidential debate: Back in the centre, back in the game]
  • 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.
  • Having substance; enduring; solid; firm; substantial.
  • * Hazlitt
  • Strength and magnitude are qualities which impress the imagination in a powerful and substantive manner.
  • (legal) Applying to essential legal principles and rules of right; as, "substantive law".
  • (chemistry) Of a dye that does not need the use of a mordant to be made fast to that which is being dyed.
  • Depending on itself; independent.
  • * Francis Bacon
  • He considered how sufficient and substantive this land was to maintain itself without any aid of the foreigner.

    Synonyms

    * (of the essential element) essential, in essence * (having substance) meaty, substantial

    Antonyms

    * (having substance) superficial * (legal) adjective, procedural * verbal * (of a dye that does not need the use of a mordant) adjective

    Derived terms

    * substantive law

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (grammar) A word that names a person, place, thing or idea; a noun (sensu stricto)
  • Alternative forms

    * (abbreviation used in lexicography and grammar)

    Synonyms

    * noun (sensu stricto)

    Derived terms

    * substantivise/substantivize * substantival (substantivally)