nominative

American  

[nom-uh-nuh-tiv, nom-nuh-, nom-uh-ney-tiv] / ˈnɒm ə nə tɪv, ˈnɒm nə-, ˈnɒm əˌneɪ tɪv /

adjective

1. Grammar.

   1. (in certain inflected languages, as Sanskrit, Latin, and Russian) noting a case having as its function the indication of the subject of a finite verb, as in Latin Nauta bonus est “The sailor is good,” with nauta “sailor” in the nominative case.

   2. similar to such a case in function or meaning.

2. nominated; appointed by nomination.

3. made out in a person's name, as a certificate or security.

---

noun

Grammar.

1. the nominative case.

2. a word in the nominative case.

3. a form or construction of similar function or meaning.

nominative British  

/ ˈnɒmɪnətɪv, ˌnɒmɪnəˈtaɪvəl, ˌnɒmnə-, ˈnɒmnə- /

adjective

1. grammar denoting a case of nouns and pronouns in inflected languages that is used esp to identify the subject of a finite verb See also subjective

2. appointed rather than elected to a position, office, etc

3. bearing the name of a person

---

noun

1. grammar

   1. the nominative case

   2. a word or speech element in the nominative case

Other Word Forms

• nominatival adjective
• nominatively adverb
• unnominative adjective

Etymology

Origin of nominative

1350–1400; < Latin nominātīvus ( nominate, -ive ), replacing Middle English nominatif < Middle French < Latin as above

Example Sentences

Cook, a polyglot who can speak six languages, has also been well served by nominative determinism: She is the founder and CEO of the Cook School Cooking School.

From Barron's • Mar. 13, 2026

It also said its references to PG-13 “qualify as nominative fair use.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 5, 2025

The sport’s governing body made a provision for the 2020 Games that allowed athletes to lock up an individual nominative spot if they racked up enough points at World Cup events.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 2, 2021

Reuters correspondent William Stringer — that nominative determinism again — was killed by enemy fire on Aug. 17.

From Washington Post • Apr. 11, 2019

Here are a few of them: The subject of a tensed verb must be in nominative case, such as I, he, she, and they.

From "The Sense of Style" by Steven Pinker