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

The new chapter finds Sudeikis reprising his titular role — a slight plot twist given the character’s apparent departure at the end of the third season in 2023. — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2026

Evil Alien Conquerors stars Michael Weston as a man who witnesses the titular extraterrestrials (Parnell and Bader) literally fall to Earth from space. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 12 Aug. 2026

Based on Colleen Hoover‘s best-selling psychological thriller novel, the film stars Anne Hathaway as the titular author Verity Crawford, who has remained nonverbal and unable to walk since a devastating accident left her in that state. — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026

In her very first on-screen role, Reeves brings a nuanced, brave, and deeply intuitive performance as the titular character, an eight-year-old San Francisco resident who witnesses a horrific crime and has to deal with the emotional fallout. — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 11 Aug. 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