NOMINALLY

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does nominally mean? 

• NOMINALLY (adverb)
  The adverb NOMINALLY has 1 sense:

1. in name only

  Familiarity information: NOMINALLY used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NOMINALLY (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In name only

Context example:

nominally he is the boss

Pertainym:

nominal (relating to or constituting or bearing or giving a name)

 Context examples 

You shall be Mrs. Rochester—both virtually and nominally.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

Tom Bertram had of late spent so little of his time at home that he could be only nominally missed; and Lady Bertram was soon astonished to find how very well they did even without his father, how well Edmund could supply his place in carving, talking to the steward, writing to the attorney, settling with the servants, and equally saving her from all possible fatigue or exertion in every particular but that of directing her letters.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

The average temperature across the globe in 2017 was 1.51 degrees F above the 20th century average of 57 degrees F. 2017 marks the 41st consecutive year (since 1977) with global land and ocean temperatures at least nominally above the 20th-century average.

(2017 was 3rd warmest year on record for the globe, NOAA)

Lydia's intention of walking to Meryton was not forgotten; every sister except Mary agreed to go with her; and Mr. Collins was to attend them, at the request of Mr. Bennet, who was most anxious to get rid of him, and have his library to himself; for thither Mr. Collins had followed him after breakfast; and there he would continue, nominally engaged with one of the largest folios in the collection, but really talking to Mr. Bennet, with little cessation, of his house and garden at Hunsford.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

They were presided over nominally by my mother, but really by Mr. Murdstone and his sister, who were always present, and found them a favourable occasion for giving my mother lessons in that miscalled firmness, which was the bane of both our lives.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

The recollection of what had been done for William was always the most powerful disturber of every decision against Mr. Crawford; and she sat thinking deeply of it till Mary, who had been first watching her complacently, and then musing on something else, suddenly called her attention by saying: I should like to sit talking with you here all day, but we must not forget the ladies below, and so good-bye, my dear, my amiable, my excellent Fanny, for though we shall nominally part in the breakfast-parlour, I must take leave of you here.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

In an accumulation of Ignominy, Want, Despair, and Madness, I entered the office—or, as our lively neighbour the Gaul would term it, the Bureau—of the Firm, nominally conducted under the appellation of Wickfield and—HEEP, but in reality, wielded by—HEEP alone.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Edmund might, in the common phrase, do the duty of Thornton, that is, he might read prayers and preach, without giving up Mansfield Park: he might ride over every Sunday, to a house nominally inhabited, and go through divine service; he might be the clergyman of Thornton Lacey every seventh day, for three or four hours, if that would content him.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)