nominal

[nom-uh-nl]

adjective

1. being such in name only; so-called; putative.

   a nominal treaty;

   the nominal head of the country.

   Synonyms: formal, titular

2. (of a price, consideration, etc.) named as a mere matter of form, being trifling in comparison with the actual or expected amount or value; minimal or insignificant.

   a nominal fee;

   a nominal improvement.

3. of, relating to, or constituting a name or names.

4. Grammar.

   1. of, relating to, or producing a noun or nouns.

      a nominal suffix.

   2. functioning as or like a noun.

5. assigned to a person by name.

   nominal shares of stock.

6. containing, bearing, or giving a name or names.

7. (of money, income, or the like) measured in an amount rather than in real value.

   Nominal wages have risen 50 percent, but real wages are down because of inflation.

8. Chiefly Aerospace.,  performing or achieved within expected, acceptable limits; normal and satisfactory.

   The mission was nominal throughout.

noun

1. Grammar.,  a word or group of words functioning as a noun.

nominal

/ ˈnɒmɪnəl /

adjective

1. in name only; theoretical

   the nominal leader

2. minimal in comparison with real worth or what is expected; token

   a nominal fee

3. of, relating to, constituting, bearing, or giving a name

4. grammar of or relating to a noun or noun phrase

noun

1. grammar a nominal element; a noun, noun phrase, or syntactically similar structure

2. Leisure:Bell-ringing the harmonic an octave above the strike tone of a bell

Other Word Forms

• prenominal adjective
• unnominal adjective
• unnominally adverb
• nominally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of nominal¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English nominalle “of a noun,” from Latin nōminālis “of, belonging to a name or names, nominal,” equivalent to nōmin- (stem of nōmen ) + -ālis adjective suffix; nomen, -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of nominal¹

C15: from Latin nōminālis of a name, from nōmen name

Example Sentences

As I reported before, the bulk of the cost of space missions is in the development of spacecraft and their launch; once that’s done, the cost of maintaining a satellite in orbit is nominal.

From Los Angeles Times

Reynolds said at the time that full nationalisation was the likely next step, but ministers had been hoping that Jingye would hand over ownership of the company for a nominal fee.

From BBC

If Harris did run for president, she’d start out as a nominal front-runner, based on her universal name recognition and deep nationwide fundraising base — advantages no other contestant could match.

From Los Angeles Times

However, he said the fine would likely be nominal if the case went to court.

From BBC

The GOP is even more unwavering than their nominal opposition in their support of Israel, so the conservative media giant could be expected to offer glad-handing and softball questions.

From Salon

Related Words

• minimal 
• symbolic 
• token