pronominal

adjective

pro·​nom·​i·​nal prō-ˈnä-mə-nᵊl How to pronounce pronominal (audio)
-ˈnäm-nəl
1
: of, relating to, or constituting a pronoun
2
: resembling a pronoun in identifying or specifying without describing
the pronominal adjective this in this dog
pronominally adverb

Examples of pronominal in a Sentence

the pronominal adjective “this” in “this dog”
Recent Examples on the Web There are two reasons for this pronominal deletion. Oliver Munday, The Atlantic, 27 Nov. 2022 Through perspectival shifts, pronominal slippage and shout-outs to cinema, poetry and of course music, Mercier allows the duo’s fears and displaced ambitions to turn into one another in revelatory, oneiric and, ultimately, disturbing ways. Lisa Russ Spaar, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'pronominal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin pronominalis, from Latin pronomin-, pronomen

First Known Use

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of pronominal was in 1663

Dictionary Entries Near pronominal

Cite this Entry

“Pronominal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pronominal. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

pronominal

adjective
pro·​nom·​i·​nal prō-ˈnäm-ən-ᵊl How to pronounce pronominal (audio)
: of, relating to, or being a pronoun
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