nominative
Americanadjective
-
Grammar.
-
(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.
-
similar to such a case in function or meaning.
-
-
nominated; appointed by nomination.
-
made out in a person's name, as a certificate or security.
noun
-
the nominative case.
-
a word in the nominative case.
-
a form or construction of similar function or meaning.
adjective
-
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
-
appointed rather than elected to a position, office, etc
-
bearing the name of a person
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of nominative
1350–1400; < Latin nominātīvus ( see nominate, -ive), replacing Middle English nominatif < Middle French < Latin as above
Vocabulary lists containing nominative
Conventions, Writing, and Speaking & Listening, Unit 1
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!
Conventions, Writing, and Speaking & Listening, Unit 3
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!
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.
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 FIG also allowed athletes to earn a nominative individual spot through the organization’s World Cup circuit.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 1, 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
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
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.
