nominal

What does “nominal” mean?

adjective.(of a role or status) existing in name only.

SAT Usage

the term is often used in contexts discussing roles, titles, or positions within organizations or systems, emphasizing that someone may hold a title without actual authority or responsibilities. It implies a contrast between appearance and reality, highlighting situations where formal recognition does not equate to genuine influence or power, distinguishing it from words like "symbolic," which may suggest a more positive or meaningful representation.

Common Confusions

Nominal implies a title or status without real power or significance, while titular usually suggests holding a title that may carry some level of recognition or honor, even if it lacks active responsibility.

Example Sentences

• She accepted a nominal fee just to make the exchange official.

• This sentence contains two nominals.

• Numeric codes of characters used in programming are nominals.

• He gave me only a nominal sum for my services.

• This sentence contains a nominal phrase.