titular

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

adjective

1. 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.

2. from whom or which a title or name is taken:

   His titular Saint is Michael.

3. of, relating to, or of the nature of a title.
4. having a title, especially of rank.
5. designating any of the Roman Catholic churches in Rome whose nominal incumbents are cardinals.

noun

1. a person who bears a title.
2. a person from whom or thing from which a title or name is taken.
3. Ecclesiastical. a person entitled to a benefice but not required to perform its duties.

titular

/ ˈtɪtjʊlərɪ; ˈtɪtjʊlə /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or of the nature of a title
2. in name only
3. bearing a title
4. giving a title
5. RC Church designating any of certain churches in Rome to whom cardinals or bishops are attached as their nominal incumbents

noun

1. the bearer of a title
2. the bearer of a nominal office

Derived Forms

• ˈtitularly, adverb

Other Words From

• tit·u·lar·i·ty [tich-, uh, -, lar, -i-tee, tit-y, uh, -], noun
• titu·lar·ly adverb
• multi·titu·lar adjective
• non·titu·lar adjective
• non·titu·lar·ly adverb
• un·titu·lar adjective
• un·titu·lar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of titular¹

1585–95; < Latin titul ( us ) title + -ar ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of titular¹

C18: from French titulaire, from Latin titulus title

Example Sentences

The producers immediately looked to Redmayne to play the titular Jackal, a scrupulous British long-range assassin with an enigmatic quality.

From Los Angeles Times

In Candyman, Todd's titular character is the ghost of artist Daniel Robitaille, a black man who was lynched in the 19th Century.

From BBC

“Echoes of Wisdom” is the first core “Zelda” game in which the titular member of royalty is a fully playable character.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s a turn that represents a kind of push-pull moment for the titular character.

From Salon

A feminist film about ageism and unrealistic beauty standards is not unusual, but what makes the film so gruesome is the titular substance used by the main character.

From BBC

Related Words

• nominal