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

In 1969, MacLaine nabbed the titular role in the film version of the musical Sweet Charity. —Andrea Wurzburger, PEOPLE, 5 Dec. 2025

Storrie was revealed to be the titular DC Comics villain in a bloody scene at the end of the film. —Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Dec. 2025

The actual event featured Peter Claffey, who stars as the titular Ser Duncan the Tall, aka Dunk, and Dexter Sol Ansell, who portrays Dunk’s squire, Prince Aegon Targaryen, known as Egg. —Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 4 Dec. 2025

Powell is returning as the titular character. —Katie Campione, Deadline, 3 Dec. 2025

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