nominal

American  

[nom-uh-nl] / ˈnɒm ə nl /

adjective

1. being such in name only; so-called; putative.

   a nominal treaty;

   the nominal head of the country.

   Synonyms:

   formal, titular

2. (of a price, consideration, etc.) named as a mere matter of form, being trifling in comparison with the actual or expected amount or value; minimal or insignificant.

   a nominal fee;

   a nominal improvement.

3. of, relating to, or constituting a name or names.

4. Grammar.

   1. of, relating to, or producing a noun or nouns.

      a nominal suffix.

   2. functioning as or like a noun.

5. assigned to a person by name.

   nominal shares of stock.

6. containing, bearing, or giving a name or names.

7. (of money, income, or the like) measured in an amount rather than in real value.

   Nominal wages have risen 50 percent, but real wages are down because of inflation.

8. Chiefly Aerospace. performing or achieved within expected, acceptable limits; normal and satisfactory.

   The mission was nominal throughout.

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noun

1. Grammar. a word or group of words functioning as a noun.

nominal British  

/ ˈnɒmɪnəl /

adjective

1. in name only; theoretical

   the nominal leader

2. minimal in comparison with real worth or what is expected; token

   a nominal fee

3. of, relating to, constituting, bearing, or giving a name

4. grammar of or relating to a noun or noun phrase

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noun

1. grammar a nominal element; a noun, noun phrase, or syntactically similar structure

2. Leisure:Bell-ringing the harmonic an octave above the strike tone of a bell

Other Word Forms

• nominally adverb
• prenominal adjective
• unnominal adjective
• unnominally adverb

Etymology

Origin of nominal

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English nominalle “of a noun,” from Latin nōminālis “of, belonging to a name or names, nominal,” equivalent to nōmin- (stem of nōmen ) + -ālis adjective suffix; nomen, -al ¹

Example Sentences

But the nominal return to civilian rule will hedge Min Aung Hlaing's power, said Michaels, forcing him to choose between the presidency or armed forces chief -- roles he has held in tandem under military rule.

From Barron's

She was given a nominal leadership title instead.

From The Wall Street Journal

Yet even such a modest rate increase feels big when the nominal policy rate was zero or negative for 14 years.

From The Wall Street Journal

“We reverse the remedy chosen by the Court of Chancery – rescission of the 2018 compensation plan. We reinstate the 2018 plan and award the Plaintiff nominal damages,” reads part of the decision, posted on Friday.

From Barron's

“We reverse the remedy chosen by the Court of Chancery – rescission of the 2018 compensation plan. We reinstate the 2018 plan and award the Plaintiff nominal damages,” reads part of the decision, posted on Friday.

From Barron's

Related Words

• minimal
• symbolic
• token