adjective
Uncommon
nominal
NOM-ih-nl
Nominal (adjective) means existing in name only, rather than in reality or practice. Example: “He's the nominal head of the company, but his sister makes all the real decisions.”
adjective
1
Existing in name only, rather than in reality or practice.
"He's the nominal head of the company, but his sister makes all the real decisions."
"The fee was purely nominal, just a dollar to make the contract official."
"The country has a nominal president, but the real power belongs to parliament."
2
Very small in amount, especially referring to a fee or cost.
"They charge a nominal fee just to cover printing costs."
"Entry to the museum garden costs only a nominal amount for visitors."
"The library charges a nominal fine for books returned a day late."
How to use nominal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIn name only (not in real power or effect), or so small it barely counts.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "normal" — nominal is about names or token amounts, not about being typical.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
nominal fee
nominal leader
nominal value
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Word forms
- Plural
- nominals
Fill the gap
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He's the _____ head of the company, but his sister makes all the real decisions.
Etymology
From Latin nominalis, "of names," ultimately from nomen, "name."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for nominal
See all rhymes for nominal →Frequently asked questions
What does “nominal” mean?
The word “nominal” means existing in name only, rather than in reality or practice. In plain terms, in name only (not in real power or effect), or so small it barely counts.
How do you pronounce “nominal”?
“Nominal” is pronounced NOM-ih-nl (/ˈnɑ.mɪ.nl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “nominal” in a sentence?
Here is “nominal” used in a sentence: “He's the nominal head of the company, but his sister makes all the real decisions.”
What part of speech is “nominal”?
“Nominal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “nominal” come from?
The word “nominal” comes from Latin. From Latin nominalis, "of names," ultimately from nomen, "name.".
Is “nominal” a common word?
“Nominal” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “nominal” have?
“Nominal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: existing in name only, rather than in reality or practice.
What is the difference between nominal and actual?
Nominal describes something that exists in name only rather than in real substance or practice, while actual refers to what is truly the case in reality. For example, a nominal leader may hold the title without exercising real authority, unlike an actual decision-maker.
What is the difference between nominal and real value in economics?
Nominal value refers to a figure stated at face value without adjusting for factors like inflation, while real value adjusts that figure to reflect actual purchasing power over time. This distinction is why economists often compare nominal and real wages or prices separately.
Can nominal describe a role as well as a price?
Yes, nominal has two related uses: it can describe a role or title that exists formally but not in genuine practice, such as a nominal head of state, or it can describe a very small cost, such as a nominal fee.
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