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

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

Eden played the titular 2,000-year-old genie named Jeannie opposite Larry Hagman's astronaut Tony Nelson, with the show catapulting the two costars into television history, thanks to their onscreen chemistry. —Carson Blackwelder, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025

Now, three decades later, Casper is ready to introduce a whole new generation to the titular ghost. —Allison Degrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025

Oscar Isaac, of course, as the titular trailblazer. —Radhika Seth, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2025

Aguirre-Sacasa was also behind Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (2018–2020), whose titular witch crossed over to Riverdale to complete her storyline following the Netflix show’s cancellation. —Andy Swift, TVLine, 1 Oct. 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