Nominal
/ˈnɑːmɪnəl/
adjectivenounC1
Definition
As an adjective, nominal describes something that is very small, almost only in name, or not important in amount or effect. It can mean the smallest amount or just a formal title without real power. As a noun in grammar, nominal means a word or group of words that work like a noun.
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See It in Action
Very small or symbolic amount
- •The company charged only a nominal fee for the service.
- •He owns a nominal share of the business, less than 1%.
- •The rent increase was nominal, so tenants were happy.
Existing in name only, not real or effective
- •She is the nominal leader, but decisions are made by others.
- •The position is nominal; it has no real power.
- •He holds a nominal title without actual responsibilities.
Grammar: a word or phrase functioning as a noun
- •In the sentence, "Running is fun," "running" is a nominal.
- •Nominals can include nouns, pronouns, or noun phrases.
- •Understanding nominals helps in learning sentence structure.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "nominal" like "small" or "name" but with a special meaning—it often means "only in name" or "very little"
- ✓Picture a tiny price tag on a product that says $1—that's a nominal fee, very small and almost symbolic
- ✓It's the feeling when someone has a title like "manager" but does not do real managing—just a nominal role
- ✓Sounds like "NOM-in-al" → Imagine a name (nom) with a little "inal" tag, meaning "just a name" or "small amount"
- ✓Think of a company where the boss is called "CEO" nominally, but the real power is with someone else
- ✓NOT like "actual" (real and important), nominal is often symbolic or very small
- ✓As a noun, NOT like "name" alone, but a word or phrase acting as a noun in a sentence
Try Other Words
- •Token: a very small or symbolic amount (Use when emphasizing something is only symbolic or for formality)
- •Minimal: the least possible amount (Use when describing the smallest amount needed or given)
- •Formal: existing as a name or title without real power (Use when focusing on official or ceremonial status)
- •Noun-like: relating to grammar meaning (Use when talking about words acting like nouns)
Unboxing
- •Prefix/root/suffix: "nom-" from Latin "nomen" meaning "name" + suffix "-inal" meaning "related to"
- •Etymology: Comes from Latin word "nominalis," meaning "pertaining to a name"
- •Historical development: Originally meant "relating to names," later used to describe something existing only by name or very small in amount
- •Modern usage: Used in business, law, and grammar to describe small amounts, titles without real power, or noun-related grammar terms
Reflect & Connect
•Can something be nominal but still important in some way? How do you decide?
•How does the idea of "nominal" help us understand the difference between real power and just a title?
Fill in the blanks
1.The fee for joining the club was nominal, so most people could ___ it easily.
2.Although she was the nominal head of the team, the real decisions were made ___.
3.A nominal charge means the amount is very ___, almost symbolic.
4.In grammar, a nominal can be a noun or a ___ phrase acting as a noun.
5.The company’s nominal profit was too small to ___ any real growth.
6.When someone has a nominal role, they have the title but no real ___.
7.The rent increase was nominal, so tenants did not feel ___ about paying more.