Nominal

/ˈnɒm.ɪ.nl̩/ adj, noun

adj, noun ·Common ·High school level

Meaning at a glance

  • Primary sense: A noun or word group that functions as part of a noun phrase.
  • Grammar: nominal is listed as adj, noun.
  • Nearest alternatives: noun phrase, abstract noun, adherent noun, adjectival.
  • Useful contrasts: deflated, mass value column, ordinal attribute data.
  • Usage evidence: Price increases explain the difference between the real and nominal growth rates.

How to use "nominal"

  1. Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
  2. Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "nominal" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
  3. Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.

Meaning check

  • Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
  • Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
  • Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
  • Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?

Source and review context

This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "nominal" in a final draft.

If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.

Before you rely on this definition

Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "nominal" as the right word for your sentence.

If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "nominal" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.

Compare nearby meanings

  • Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
  • Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
  • Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
  • Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.

Definition decision workflow

1. Identify the role

Check whether "nominal" is acting as adj, noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.

2. Test the nearest option

Compare it with "noun phrase" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.

3. Confirm with context

Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.

Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.

Final meaning check

Before publishing a sentence with "nominal", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.

When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A noun or word group that functions as part of a noun phrase.

    "This sentence contains two nominals."

  2. 2
    a phrase that can function as the subject or object of a verb wordnet
  3. 3
    A part of speech that shares features with nouns and adjectives. (Depending on the language, it may comprise nouns, adjectives, possibly numerals, pronouns, and participles.)

    "A considerable number of derived nominals, especially thematic nouns, also exhibited o-grade roots."

  4. 4
    A number (usually natural) used like a name; a numeric code or identifier. (See nominal number on Wikipedia.)

    "Numeric codes of characters used in programming are nominals."

  5. 5
    A person listed in the Police National Computer database as having been convicted, cautioned or recently arrested. UK, jargon
Adjective
  1. 1
    Of, resembling, relating to, or consisting of a name or names. not-comparable
  2. 2
    Assigned to or bearing a person's name. not-comparable
  3. 3
    Existing in name only. not-comparable

    "a nominal difference"

  4. 4
    Of or relating to nominalism. not-comparable
  5. 5
    Insignificantly small. not-comparable

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

Show 8 more definitions
  1. 6
    Of or relating to the presumed or approximate value, rather than the actual value. not-comparable

    "The nominal voltage is 1.5 V, but the actual figure is usually higher."

  2. 7
    Of, relating to, or being the amount or face value of a sum of money or a stock certificate, for example, and not the purchasing power or market value. not-comparable
  3. 8
    Of, relating to, or being the rate of interest or return without adjustment for compounding or inflation. not-comparable
  4. 9
    Of or relating to a noun or word group that functions as a noun. not-comparable

    "This sentence contains a nominal phrase."

  5. 10
    According to plan or design. not-comparable

    "We'll just do a nominal flight check."

  6. 11
    Without adjustment to remove the effects of inflation. not-comparable

    "My employer does not understand how low my nominal wage is."

  7. 12
    Having values whose order is insignificant. not-comparable
  8. 13
    Of a species, the species name without consideration of whether it is a junior synonym or in reality consists of more than one biological species. not-comparable

    "Since then, a good deal of research has documented and concluded that the nominal species A. fraterculus actually comprises an unresolved complex of cryptic species."

Adjective
  1. 1
    existing in name only wordnet
  2. 2
    named; bearing the name of a specific person wordnet
  3. 3
    insignificantly small; a matter of form only (‘tokenish’ is informal) wordnet
  4. 4
    of, relating to, or characteristic of an amount that is not adjusted for inflation wordnet
  5. 5
    pertaining to a noun or to a word group that functions as a noun wordnet
Show 1 more definition
  1. 6
    relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
noun phraseabstract nounadherent nounadjectivaladverbialalleged

Antonyms

deflatedmass value columnordinal attribute dataordinal attribute rubric

Example

"Price increases explain the difference between the real and nominal growth rates."

Common questions

What does "nominal" mean?

A noun or word group that functions as part of a noun phrase.

What is a synonym for "nominal"?

Common synonyms include: noun phrase, abstract noun, adherent noun, adjectival, adverbial, alleged.

How do you use "nominal" in a sentence?

Price increases explain the difference between the real and nominal growth rates.

How do you pronounce "nominal"?

Pronounced /ˈnɒm.ɪ.nl̩/.

Etymology

PIE word *h₁nómn̥ From the Middle English nominalle (“of nouns”), borrowed from Latin nōminālis (“of names”), from nōmen (“name”).

More for "nominal"

Synonyms

Next best steps

Find stronger synonymsBrowse writing guidesExplore topic clusters