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verb Uncommon

nominate

NOM-ih-nayt

Nominate (verb) means to formally propose someone as a candidate for a role, award, or position. Example: “The committee nominated her for Employee of the Year.”

verb
1
To formally propose someone as a candidate for a role, award, or position.
"The committee nominated her for Employee of the Year."
"He was nominated for an Oscar for his performance."

How to use nominate

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo put someone forward as a candidate for something.

Common pairings
nominate someone for nominated candidate

Word forms

nominated past tense, nominates plural, nominates singular

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The committee _____ her for Employee of the Year.

Etymology

From Latin nominatus, past participle of nomino, "to name," from nomen, "a name."

Origin: Latin

Related words

Rhymes for nominate

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Frequently asked questions

What does “nominate” mean?

The word “nominate” means to formally propose someone as a candidate for a role, award, or position. In plain terms, to put someone forward as a candidate for something.

How do you pronounce “nominate”?

“Nominate” is pronounced NOM-ih-nayt (/ˈnɑ.mɪ.neɪt/ in IPA).

How do you use “nominate” in a sentence?

Here is “nominate” used in a sentence: “The committee nominated her for Employee of the Year.”

What part of speech is “nominate”?

“Nominate” is a verb.

Where does the word “nominate” come from?

The word “nominate” comes from Latin. From Latin nominatus, past participle of nomino, "to name," from nomen, "a name.".

Is “nominate” a common word?

“Nominate” is an uncommon word in modern English.

What is the difference between nominate and elect?

To nominate is to formally propose someone as a candidate for a role, award, or position, while to elect is to actually choose that candidate through a vote. A person can be nominated without ever being elected.

What is the difference between nominate and appoint?

Nominate means to put someone forward as a candidate for consideration, whereas appoint means to actually assign someone to a position with formal authority. Nomination is often a step that precedes a final appointment or election decision.

Do you nominate someone for or as a position?

Both prepositions are used depending on context: you nominate someone for an award or for a role, but you can also nominate someone as a candidate or as a representative. The choice depends on whether you are naming the goal or the capacity being proposed.

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