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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Nominal: Definition, Usage & Common Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：in name only (nominal)

nominal 🔊

/ˈnɒmɪnl/

adj.

Something that has a title or name but does not have the real power, duties, or functions that the title suggests.

Nominal meaning illustrated by an empty director's office with a nameplate.

in name only 🔊

➕

/ɪn ˈneɪm ˈəʊnli/

adj.

Describes a person or thing that holds a title or position officially but lacks the real power, responsibilities, or significance associated with it.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Derived from Latin 'nomen' meaning 'name'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a NAMetag on an empty desk. The title is there, but the person is NOT.

📖 Example

Even though he was the nominal head of the project team, most of the important decisions were made by his assistant. 🔊 He held the title of project head, but his assistant held the real decision-making authority.

🔗 Collocations

nominal leader – A person who holds a leadership title without actual control.

nominal authority – Power or control that exists officially but is not exercised in reality.

nominal control – The appearance of control without genuine power to direct.

🔄 Synonyms

titular (adj.) – Holding or constituting a purely formal position or title without real authority.

figurehead (n.) – A leader who is in name only, with no real power.

ceremonial (adj.) – Involving or relating to ceremony; a role with formal duties but no executive power.

🚫 Antonyms

actual (adj.) – Existing in fact; real.

effective (adj.) – Having the power to produce an intended result.

de facto (adj.) – Existing in fact, whether by right or not.

🌱 Derivatives

nominalize (v.) – To convert into or use as a noun.

nominalism (n.) – A philosophical doctrine that general or abstract words do not stand for objectively existing entities.

📖 Cultural Story

Originating from the Latin 'nomen' (name), it entered English via Old French 'nominal'. Historically, it described things pertaining to a name. Its meaning expanded in legal and financial contexts to describe things existing in name but not in substance, or to indicate a token amount.

Meaning 2：very small (fee) (nominal)

nominal 🔊

/ˈnɒmɪnl/

adj.

A very small amount of money, a fee, or a charge that is much lower than the actual value or the usual price.

Nominal fee concept shown by a close-up of a very small receipt total.

very small (fee) 🔊

➕

/ˈveri smɔːl/

adj.

Refers to a sum of money, typically a fee or charge, that is very small compared to the actual value or the standard price, often symbolic.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The museum only charges a nominal fee of one dollar for students, which is much cheaper than the regular ticket. 🔊 The museum asks for a very small, symbolic payment of one dollar from students.

🔗 Collocations

nominal fee – A very small, often token payment.

nominal amount – A sum of money so small it is insignificant.

nominal charge – A minimal cost, often to cover basic expenses.

🔄 Synonyms

token (adj.) – Done for the sake of appearances or as a symbolic gesture; a very small amount.

minimal (adj.) – Of a minimum amount, quantity, or degree.

negligible (adj.) – So small or unimportant as to be not worth considering.

🚫 Antonyms

substantial (adj.) – Of considerable importance, size, or worth.

significant (adj.) – Sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention.

🌱 Derivatives

nominal value (n.) – The face value of a security, currency, or other financial instrument.