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.
Ericka at first takes only a nominally enthusiastic attitude toward vying for the crown, and she’s not particularly antipathetic to Paulina either—at least until she witnesses Paulina’s cruel and domineering behavior toward her fellow students.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026
Legal experts have noted however that Kasidiaris is still barred from running for office until 2033, when his term was to nominally end.
From Barron's ● Sep. 15, 2026
The survey also showed average expenditure - £67,411 per year - in real terms for 2023/24 was 6% lower than in 2018/19, despite being 19% higher nominally.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Again, while the target is nominally undocumented immigrants, news reports suggest some legal immigrants have gotten wrapped up in the effort.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 1, 2026
Was he nominally working with, or against, Obsle’s faction?
From "The Left Hand of Darkness" by Ursula K. Le Guin
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
