Meaning & use
titular
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a nounformal
Holding an official title or position in name only, without the real power that normally goes with it.
Grammar: Goes before the noun: the titular head.
Patterns
- the titular head of something
The king was only the titular ruler; parliament made the decisions.
She remained the titular chair while others ran the group.
adjectivebefore a noun
Giving its name to a book, film, play or similar work, as the character whose name is the title.
Grammar: Goes before a noun: the titular character.
Patterns
- the titular character
The titular character of the novel does not appear until chapter three.
The actor plays the titular detective in the new series.
Common combinations
- titular head
- The president is the titular head of the army.
- titular role
- He won praise for his titular role.
- titular character
- The titular character is a stubborn old fisherman.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nominal
- Nominal also means in name only, but is wider and can describe tiny amounts or fees.
- figurehead
- Figurehead is a noun for the person with the empty title, not an adjective.
- ceremonial
- Ceremonial stresses a role of ritual duties rather than lacking real authority.
Opposites
Word family
- title noun
- a name or position
- titled adjective
- having a noble title
Commonly confused: titular or titled? titular or tittle?
titular vs titled
Titled means having a rank like Lord or Lady; titular says the title has no real power or names a work.
titular vs tittle
A tittle is a tiny mark, as in 'every jot and tittle'.
Practice
In 'the titular head of the company', what does 'titular' suggest?
Choose one answer.
Titular signals a title without matching authority. The other options describe real power or ownership.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “titular”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.