nominal

Pronunciation: adjective. Synonyms: token, symbolic, titular

adjective

Definition of nominal

in name only

Synonyms for nominal

nominal in a Sentence

  1. He was the nominal leader, but others pulled the strings behind the scenes.

Why nominal Matters for GRE & SAT

"nominal" is a adjective that means "in name only" closely related to words like "token", "symbolic", "titular". As a word starting with N, it belongs to a cluster of GRE and SAT vocabulary that test-takers often encounter in Verbal Reasoning, Text Completion, and Reading Comprehension sections.

On the GRE, understanding "nominal" helps you distinguish between closely related answer choices in Sentence Equivalence questions. On the SAT, recognizing this word in context strengthens your performance on Craft & Structure and Words in Context questions. Seeing how "nominal" is used in sentences — like the examples above — builds the contextual understanding that standardized tests reward.

Study tip: Start with the definition and part of speech (adjective). Then learn its 3 synonyms to build a word network. Finally, practice with spaced repetition to move "nominal" into long-term memory.

How to Remember nominal

One effective way to remember "nominal" (adjective) is to group it with similar words you already know: "token" and "symbolic" and "titular". When you encounter "nominal" on a test, these synonym connections help you quickly recall its meaning — "in name only".

Use flashcard apps with spaced repetition to review "nominal" at increasing intervals until it becomes automatic.

  • Nefarious — Wicked, villainous, or criminal in nature.
  • nadir — the absolute lowest point or worst moment
  • naive — showing a lack of experience or judgment
  • narrate — To give an account of events or experiences
  • nascent — in the process of emerging, being born, or starting to develop
  • negate — To nullify; make ineffective

More Vocabulary Words Starting with N

  • Nefarious — Wicked, villainous, or criminal in nature.
  • nadir — the absolute lowest point or worst moment
  • nadir — the absolute lowest point or worst moment
  • naive — showing a lack of experience or judgment
  • naive — showing a lack of experience or judgment
  • narrate — To give an account of events or experiences
  • narrate — To give an account of events or experiences
  • nascent — in the process of emerging, being born, or starting to develop
  • nascent — in the process of emerging, being born, or starting to develop
  • negate — To nullify; make ineffective