adjective

nominative

NOM-uh-nuh-tiv

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Nominative (adjective) means relating to the grammatical case of a noun or pronoun that marks it as the subject of a finite verb. Example: “'She' is the nominative form of the pronoun, used when it is the subject.”

adjective

Relating to the grammatical case of a noun or pronoun that marks it as the subject of a finite verb.

"'She' is the nominative form of the pronoun, used when it is the subject."

"In Latin, a noun's ending changes to show the nominative case."

"The nominative pronoun 'he' becomes 'him' in the objective case."

noun

The grammatical case, or a word in that case, used for the subject of a finite verb.

"The nominative is used for the subject of a clause."

"Grammar books list the nominative before the other cases."

"In German, the nominative changes form depending on gender."

How to use nominative

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishNominative describes the case a noun or pronoun takes when it is the subject of a sentence.

When to use it

It is a technical grammar term used mainly when discussing languages with case systems, such as Latin or German.

Memory tip

When learning a language with cases, it helps to compare the nominative form of a word with its other case forms side by side.

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Common pairings

nominative case nominative pronoun nominative form in the nominative

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “nominative” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

'She' is the _____ form of the pronoun, used when it is the subject.

Etymology

Nominative comes from the Middle English word nominatyf, which reached English either through the Old French nominatif or directly from the Latin nōminātīvus, meaning pertaining to naming.

Origin: Middle English

Rhymes for nominative

five give dive live olive drive alive dative endive strive derive active

See all rhymes for nominative →

Frequently asked questions

What does nominative mean in grammar?

It describes the case of a noun or pronoun when it acts as the subject of a finite verb.

Is nominative a noun or an adjective?

It can be both: as an adjective it describes something in that case, and as a noun it names the case itself or a word in it.

What is an example of the nominative case?

In the sentence 'She reads,' the pronoun 'she' is in the nominative case because it is the subject.

What is the meaning of nominative?

"nominative" (adjective) means relating to the grammatical case of a noun or pronoun that marks it as the subject of a finite verb.