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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Jane Eyre
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Life of Pi
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
The method of auction is meant to give bidders confidence by ensuring the winning bidder pays only nominally more than the second-place bidder.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 1, 2026
Born into a nominally liberated time for women, our Gen X girlhood was a specific kind of confusing: Yes, we were weaned on “Free to Be You and Me.”
From Salon ● Jun. 12, 2026
Pulte, a finance and real estate guy by trade, is nominally head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
From Slate ● Jun. 6, 2026
The proposal, if it passes, would nominally levy a one-time tax of 5% on the wealth of the state’s resident billionaires.
From MarketWatch ● Jun. 5, 2026
Now, however, though the code of silence is still nominally in place, inmate lips seem looser and officers’ use of snitches more widespread.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
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.
