titular

1 of 2

adjective

tit·​u·​lar ˈti-chə-lər 

ˈtich-lər

1

a

: having the title and usually the honors belonging to an office or dignity without the duties, functions, or responsibilities

the titular head of a political party

b

: existing in title only

especially : bearing a title derived from a defunct ecclesiastical jurisdiction (such as an episcopal see)

a titular bishop

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a title

the titular hero of the play

3

: bearing a title : titled

titularly adverb

titular

2 of 2

noun

: a person holding a title

Synonyms of titular

Adjective

• nominal

Examples of titular in a Sentence

Adjective

Although retired, he remains the titular chairman of the company.

he's the titular head of the department, though it's the assistant managers who largely run things around here

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

But our titular bros Mario (Chris Pratt) and Luigi (Charlie Day) have never been much for keeping their feet on the ground anyway. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026

The titular drama that drives the movie is sparked when the two couples go taste-testing for the wedding. —Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Apr. 2026

The Irish actress is currently on BBC One in baby loss drama Babies, which began airing earlier this week, and is now filming the Highlander reboot in the female lead of Brenda alongside Harry Cavill’s titular role. —Diana Lodderhose, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2026

Riteish Vilasrao Deshmukh directs and stars in the titular role. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin titulus title

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1540, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for titular

• capitular

Kids Definition

titular

adjective

tit·​u·​lar

ˈtich-(ə-)lər

: being something in title only : nominal

the titular head of state

titularly adverb