nominal

noun

: a word or word group functioning as a noun

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Something nominal exists only in name. So the nominal ruler in a constitutional monarchy is the king or queen, but the real power is in the hands of the elected prime minister. In the United Kingdom, the British monarch is also the nominal head of the Church of England; and those baptized in the Church who aren't really churchgoers might be called nominal Christians. A fee can be called nominal when it's small in comparison to the value of what it buys. So, for example, you might sell a friend a good piece of furniture for a nominal amount. And the charge for a doctor's visit might be a nominal $20, since most of the cost is covered by an insurance plan.

Word History

Etymology

derivative of nominal entry 1

First Known Use

1904, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing nominal

• nominal value
• nominal wages

Rhymes for nominal

• abdominal
• phenomenal
• pronominal

Kids Definition

nominal

adjective

nom·​i·​nal

ˈnäm-ən-ᵊl, 

ˈnäm-nəl

1

: being such in name or form only

the nominal head of the party

2

: very small : trifling

a nominal price

nominally

-ē

adverb

Legal Definition

nominal

adjective

nom·​i·​nal ˈnä-mən-ᵊl 

1

: existing or being something in name or form but usually not in reality

defenses…raised by the corporation as nominal defendant in a derivative suit

—R. C. Clark

2

: being so small or trivial as to be a mere token

charging a nominal fee

3

of a rate of interest

a

: equal to the annual rate of simple interest that would obtain if interest were not compounded when in fact it is compounded and paid for periods of less than a year

b

: equal to the percentage by which a repaid loan exceeds the principal borrowed with no adjustment made for inflation compare effective sense 4

nominally adverb