“really small or just in name only”

nominal

adjective|/ˈnɑː.mɪ.nəl/

Very small or far below the actual value

Examples

In a meeting

“There's a nominal fee of five dollars for registration”

Over coffee

“He's the team captain in name only—it's just a nominal title”

Why this word

small

small is relative size; nominal specifically means token amount or in name only, not substance

minor

minor suggests lesser importance; nominal means so small as to be symbolic or existing in name only

token

token captures one sense; nominal is formal and additionally means 'in name but not reality'

Usage tip

Use to indicate something is minimal in amount or only exists in name, not reality

Etymology

Latin 'nominalis' from 'nomen' (name)

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