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 notesIn plain EnglishTo put someone forward as a candidate for something.
Common pairings
nominate someone for
nominated candidate
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Word forms
- Plural
- nominates
- Third person singular
- nominates
- Past tense
- nominated
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."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for nominate
See all rhymes for nominate →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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