nominal

 
Pronunciation: /ˈnɒmɪn(ə)l/

adjective

  • 1(of a role or status) existing in name only: Thailand retained nominal independence under Japanese military occupation
  • relating to or consisting of names: the streets have names like Third Avenue, but the resemblance to Manhattan is only nominal a nominal roll of the Grenadier Company shows a total of 86 men
  • 2(of a price or charge) very small; far below the real value or cost: they charge a nominal fee for the service
  • 3(of a quantity or dimension) stated or expressed but not necessarily corresponding exactly to the real value: EU legislation allowed variation around the nominal weight (that printed on each packet)
  • Economics expressed in terms of current prices or figures, without making allowance for changes over time: the nominal exchange rate
  • 4 Grammar relating to or functioning as a noun: a nominal group
  • 5 informal (chiefly in the context of space travel) functioning normally or acceptably.

Derivatives

nominally

adverb
[sentence adverb]: he refused, nominally on health grounds

Origin:

late 15th century (as a term in grammar): from Latin nominalis, from nomen, nomin- 'name'