notional

American  

[noh-shuh-nl] / ˈnoʊ ʃə nl /

adjective

1. pertaining to or expressing a notion or idea.

2. of the nature of a notion or idea.

   a notional response to the question.

3. abstract, theoretical, or speculative, as reflective thought.

4. not real or actual; ideal or imaginary.

   to create a notional world for oneself.

5. given to or full of foolish or fanciful ideas or moods.

6. Grammar.

   1. relating to the meaning expressed by a linguistic form.

   2. having full lexical meaning, in contrast to relational.

7. Semantics. belonging to a class of words that express clear concepts rather than relations between concepts; presentive.

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notional British  

/ ˈnəʊʃənəl /

adjective

1. relating to, expressing, or consisting of notions or ideas

2. not evident in reality; hypothetical or imaginary

   a notional tax credit

3. characteristic of a notion or concept, esp in being speculative or imaginary; abstract

4. grammar

   1. (of a word) having lexical meaning

   2. another word for semantic

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Other Word Forms

• nonnotional adjective
• notionality noun
• notionally adverb
• unnotional adjective
• unnotionally adverb

Etymology

Origin of notional

First recorded in 1590–1600; notion + -al ¹

Example Sentences

“While overall average daily net notional moderated in February, the intensity of dip-buying actually increased.”

From MarketWatch

“While overall average daily net notional moderated in February, the intensity of dip-buying actually increased.”

From MarketWatch

Yet in the 15 months since the ceasefire was signed, it has proved to be more notional for Lebanon, with Israeli warplanes and troops conducting well over 10,000 truce violations, according to the U.N.

From Los Angeles Times

More complex structured instruments as well as increased leverage in the private markets that are now available mean that the real-world footprint of many assets are many times their notional value.

From The Wall Street Journal

ICC judges also said in their decision on Monday that the mental capacities needed to "meaningfully exercise one's procedural and fair trial rights" did not have to be "at their notionally highest level".

From BBC