nominal

[ nom-uh-nl ]

adjective

1. being such in name only; so-called; putative:

   a nominal treaty;

   the nominal head of the country.

   Synonyms: formal, titular

2. (of a price, consideration, etc.) named as a mere matter of form, being trifling in comparison with the actual or expected amount or value; minimal or insignificant:

   a nominal fee;

   a nominal improvement.

3. of, relating to, or constituting a name or names.
4. Grammar.
   1. of, relating to, or producing a noun or nouns:

      a nominal suffix.

   2. functioning as or like a noun.
5. assigned to a person by name:

   nominal shares of stock.

6. containing, bearing, or giving a name or names.
7. (of money, income, or the like) measured in an amount rather than in real value:

   Nominal wages have risen 50 percent, but real wages are down because of inflation.

8. Chiefly Aerospace. performing or achieved within expected, acceptable limits; normal and satisfactory:

   The mission was nominal throughout.

noun

1. Grammar. a word or group of words functioning as a noun.

nominal

/ ˈnɒmɪnəl /

adjective

1. in name only; theoretical

   the nominal leader

2. minimal in comparison with real worth or what is expected; token

   a nominal fee

3. of, relating to, constituting, bearing, or giving a name
4. grammar of or relating to a noun or noun phrase

noun

1. grammar a nominal element; a noun, noun phrase, or syntactically similar structure
2. Leisure:Bell-ringing the harmonic an octave above the strike tone of a bell

Derived Forms

• ˈnominally, adverb

Other Words From

• pre·nom·i·nal adjective
• un·nom·i·nal adjective
• un·nom·i·nal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nominal¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English nominalle “of a noun,” from Latin nōminālis “of, belonging to a name or names, nominal,” equivalent to nōmin- (stem of nōmen ) + -ālis adjective suffix; nomen, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nominal¹

C15: from Latin nōminālis of a name, from nōmen name

Related Words

• minimal
• symbolic
• token