Nominally — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective adverb /ˈnä-mə-nᵊl/ nom·i·nal

Meaning & Definition of Nominally

Nominally (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

Nominally (adverb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. in a very small quantity or degree

    "although the more expensive TV set is nominally better than the other, it's not worth the big difference in price"

    similar: little, negligibly, slightly, a bit, a trifle
    related: meagerly, scantily, barely, hardly, just, marginally, minimally, scarcely
    opposite: awful, awfully, beastly, considerably, deadly, especially, exceedingly, extensively, extra, extremely, far, frightfully, full, greatly, heavily, highly, jolly, mightily, mighty, mortally, most, much, particularly, rattling, real, right, significantly, so, something, substantially, super, terribly, too, very, whacking
    near: completely, entirely, purely, thoroughly, totally, utterly, eminently, exceptionally, appreciably, discernibly, noticeably, palpably, abundantly, plentifully, generously, handsomely, liberally, astronomically, grandly, hugely, monstrously, monumentally

Related Entry: Nominal (adjective)

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

  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

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Nominally

The most common words with a similar meaning to Nominally:

little, negligibly, slightly, a bit, a trifle

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Nominally

Words with the opposite meaning of Nominally:

awful, awfully, beastly, considerably, deadly, especially, exceedingly, extensively, extra, extremely, far, frightfully, full, greatly, heavily, highly, jolly, mightily, mighty, mortally, most, much, particularly, rattling, real, right, significantly, so, something, substantially

Related Words for Nominally

meagerly, scantily, barely, hardly, just, marginally, minimally, scarcely

Near Antonyms of Nominally

completely, entirely, purely, thoroughly, totally, utterly, eminently, exceptionally, appreciably, discernibly, noticeably, palpably, abundantly, plentifully, generously, handsomely, liberally, astronomically, grandly, hugely, monstrously, monumentally

Word Forms of Nominally

Derived words: nominally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Nominally

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

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Nominally

What does "Nominally" mean?

"Nominally" means existing or being something in name or form only. As an an adjective and an adverb, it is defined as: existing or being something in name or form only.

What is another word for "Nominally"?

Other words for "Nominally" include little, negligibly, slightly, a bit and a trifle. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Nominally" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Nominally"?

There are 13 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Nominally". Common alternatives include little, negligibly, slightly, a bit and a trifle.

What is the opposite of "Nominally"?

Antonyms of "Nominally" include awful, awfully, beastly, considerably, deadly, especially, exceedingly and extensively. Near antonyms include completely, entirely, purely and thoroughly.

How do you use "Nominally" in a sentence?

Examples of "Nominally" in a sentence: "although the more expensive TV set is nominally better than the other, it's not worth the big difference in price".

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

"Nominally" can be used as an adjective and an adverb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Nominally"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Nominally"?

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