titular

[ tich-uh-ler, tit-yuh- ]

/ ˈtɪtʃ ə lər, ˈtɪt yə- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR titular ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

existing or being such in title only; nominal; having the title but none of the associated duties, powers, etc.: the titular head of the company.

from whom or which a title or name is taken: His titular Saint is Michael.

of, relating to, or of the nature of a title.

having a title, especially of rank.

designating any of the Roman Catholic churches in Rome whose nominal incumbents are cardinals.

noun

a person who bears a title.

a person from whom or thing from which a title or name is taken.

Ecclesiastical. a person entitled to a benefice but not required to perform its duties.

RELATED WORDS

nominal, so-called, supposed

Nearby words

Origin of titular

1585–95; < Latin titul(us) title + -ar¹

Related forms

tit·u·lar·i·ty

[tich-uh-lar-i-tee, tit-yuh-] /ˌtɪtʃ əˈlær ɪ ti, ˌtɪt yə-/, nountit·u·lar·ly, adverbmul·ti·tit·u·lar, adjectivenon·tit·u·lar, adjective

non·tit·u·lar·ly, adverbun·tit·u·lar, adjectiveun·tit·u·lar·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for titular

In 2002, the episode “Blame It on Lisa” took the titular family to Brazil.
Mr. Simpson Goes to Washington: How Homer Influenced Politics|Asawin Suebsaeng|August 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
George Soros, also 83, is titular chairman of Soros Fund Management.
Don’t Count Rupert Murdoch Out Yet: Why The Magnate Hasn’t Given Up on Time Warner|Daniel Gross|July 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
For example, Mehmet Oz, the host of his titular show Dr Oz, already has an “effect” named after him.
We Should Celebrate Social Media's Slaying of Robin Thicke|Tauriq Moosa|July 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Ian McKellen took on the titular role in the 1995 film version of Richard III.
Shakespeare’s Movie Magic|Marina Watts, Malcolm Jones|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Laurence Fishburne is the titular character in the 1995 film of Othello.
Shakespeare’s Movie Magic|Marina Watts, Malcolm Jones|April 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At its altar these rough, half-wild men knelt to pray and put themselves under the protection of their titular Sainte Anne.
Famous Firesides of French Canada|Mary Wilson Alloway
On each side of the altar is the figure of a youth, the titular deities; and at the back a crown.
Rambles in Rome|S. Russell Forbes
But this titular ascendancy was soon converted by her into practical and arbitrary dominion.
The Fifteen Decisive Battles of The World From Marathon to Waterloo|Edward Creasy
It has been over long since you visited your titular estates, and they doubtless require your immediate attention.
The Colonel of the Red Huzzars|John Reed Scott
Upon the titular government regaining power, a second payment of these dues was demanded.
Messages and Papers of William McKinley V.2.|William McKinley

British Dictionary definitions for titular

titular

titulary (ˈtɪtjʊlərɪ)

/ (ˈtɪtjʊlə) /

adjective

of, relating to, or of the nature of a title

in name only

bearing a title

giving a title

RC Church designating any of certain churches in Rome to whom cardinals or bishops are attached as their nominal incumbents

noun plural -lars or -laries

the bearer of a title

the bearer of a nominal office

Derived Formstitularly, adverb

Word Origin for titular

C18: from French titulaire, from Latin titulus title

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for titular

titular

adj.

1590s, perhaps by influence of Middle French titulaire, from Latin titulus (see title).

titular

adjective

noun

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of titular

Examples from the Web for titular

British Dictionary definitions for titular

titular

titulary (ˈtɪtjʊlərɪ)

adjective

noun plural -lars or -laries

Word Origin for titular

Word Origin and History for titular

titular