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 first trailer for the new USA Network series Anna Pigeon has been released, setting up the world of the titular character played by Tracy Spiridakos. —Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 11 May 2026

That was my first titular character. —Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 9 May 2026

The dealer was even played by Dennis Hopper in Basquiat, Schnabel’s 1996 film about the titular artist, who died at age 27 in 1988. —Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 9 May 2026

The Greens have embraced a radical mix of leftist politics and pro-Palestinian activism — sprinkled with just a dash of their titular environmentalism. —Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 7 May 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