nominally
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of nominally
Explanation
Something nominally true is true in name only. This refers to things that are only titles or formalities. It’s the opposite of "really." Words with the root nom relate to names, and nominally refers to situations where someone has a name or title that doesn't carry a lot of weight. Former Presidents are still called Mr. President, but they only nominally hold that title; they aren't really acting presidents anymore. A separated couple might be nominally married, even though they never see each other. Nominally is like “not really.”
Vocabulary lists containing nominally
"What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?" by Frederick Douglass
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Jane Eyre
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Life of Pi
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Nominally designed as a spaceport, Lego aliens and spaceships populate the area.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026
Nominally about multiplication, the test was actually about how well you functioned under pressure.
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026
Nominally, that is the function of the Correspondents’ dinner – to honor the most accomplished Beltway coverage.
From Salon • Apr. 2, 2025
Nominally, their most important figures, and thus spokespeople, are congressional leaders like House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.
From Slate • Jan. 28, 2025
Nominally, it would pass to Mrs. Tallis, but ultimately the success of the evening would be in Cecilia’s care.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
