Nominal — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈnä-mə-nᵊl/ nom·i·nal

Meaning & Definition of Nominal

Nominal (adjective)

  1. existing or being something in name or form only
  2. of, being, or relating to a designated or theoretical size that may vary from the actual, approximate
  3. trifling, insignificant

Nominal (noun)

  1. a word or word group functioning as a noun

Nominal (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being something in name or form only

    "he was the nominal head of state—everyone knew the country was actually run by one of his advisers"

    similar: formal, paper, titular
    related: so-called, phantom, virtual, apparent, assumed, evident, ostensible, presumed, seeming, supposed
    near: actual, real, true

  2. so small or unimportant as to warrant little or no attention

    "when you pay $400 for an airline ticket, a ticketing fee of five dollars seems nominal"

    similar: chicken, de minimis, footling, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, measly, Mickey Mouse, minute, negligible, niggling, no-account, paltry, peanut, petty, picayune, piddling, piddly, piffling, pimping, slight, trifling, trivial
    related: inferior, mean, imperceptible, inappreciable, little, puny, tiny, hairsplitting, nitpicking, pettifogging, quibbling, one-horse, small-fry, two-bit
    opposite: big, consequential, considerable, important, material, significant
    near: serious, substantial, weighty, eventful, momentous, pivotal, conspicuous, noteworthy, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, striking, appreciable, discernible, measurable

Nominal (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in substantive, noun

    similar: noun, substantive, collective noun, common noun, count noun, mass noun, proper noun

Related Entry: Nominal wages (plural noun)

Nominal wages is a different word from Nominal. The synonyms below are for nominal wages, not for nominal.

  1. as in minimum wage, living wage

    similar: living wage, minimum wage, take-home pay, emolument, hire, packet (British), pay, paycheck, pay envelope, payment, salary, stipend, wage, double time, overtime, time and a half, compensation, recompense, remittance, remuneration, requital, return, recoupment, redress, reparation, restitution, reimbursement, repayment, earnings, profit, takings, yield

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nominal

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nominal:

formal, paper, titular, chicken, de minimis, footling, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant, measly, Mickey Mouse, minute, negligible, niggling, no-account, paltry, peanut, petty, picayune, piddling, piddly, piffling, pimping, slight, trifling, trivial, noun, substantive, collective noun, common noun, count noun, mass noun, proper noun

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nominal

Words with the opposite meaning of Nominal:

big, consequential, considerable, important, material, significant

Related Words for Nominal

so-called, phantom, virtual, apparent, assumed, evident, ostensible, presumed, seeming, supposed, inferior, mean, imperceptible, inappreciable, little, puny, tiny, hairsplitting, nitpicking, pettifogging, quibbling, one-horse, small-fry, two-bit

Near Antonyms of Nominal

actual, real, true, serious, substantial, weighty, eventful, momentous, pivotal, conspicuous, noteworthy, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, striking, appreciable, discernible, measurable

Word Forms of Nominal

Derived words: nominally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Nominal

Middle English nominalle, from Medieval Latin nominalis, from Latin, of a name, from nomin-, nomen name name

First known use: 15th century

Words & Phrases Containing Nominal

nominal value, nominal wages

Frequently Asked Questions about Nominal

What does "Nominal" mean?

"Nominal" means existing or being something in name or form only. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: existing or being something in name or form only. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Nominal"?

Other words for "Nominal" include formal, paper, titular, chicken, de minimis, footling, inconsequential and inconsiderable. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nominal" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nominal"?

There are 57 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nominal". Common alternatives include formal, paper, titular, chicken, de minimis, footling, inconsequential, inconsiderable, insignificant and measly.

What is the opposite of "Nominal"?

Antonyms of "Nominal" include big, consequential, considerable, important, material and significant. Near antonyms include actual, real, true and serious.

How do you use "Nominal" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nominal" in a sentence: "he was the nominal head of state—everyone knew the country was actually run by one of his advisers"; "when you pay $400 for an airline ticket, a ticketing fee of five dollars seems nominal".

Is "Nominal" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Nominal" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Nominal"?

"Nominal" is pronounced /ˈnä-mə-nᵊl/ and divided into syllables as nom·i·nal.

What is the origin of the word "Nominal"?

"Nominal" comes from Middle English nominalle, from Medieval Latin nominalis, from Latin, of a name, from nomin-, nomen name name. First known use: 15th century.