/'nɒmɪnl; `nɑmənl/
adj
1 existing, etc in name only; not real or actual 名义上的; 不实际的; 不真实的
*the nominal ruler of the country 名义上的国家统治者
* the nominal value of the shares 股份的面值
* She is only the nominal chairman
*the real work is done by somebody else. 她只是名义上的主席, 实际工作是别人做的.
2 (of a sum of money, etc) very small, but paid because some payment is necessary （指一笔钱等）很少的, 象徵性的
*a nominal rent, ie one very much below the actual value of the property 象徵性租金（远低于实际租金）
* She charged only a nominal fee for her work. 她为所做工作只收取象徵性费用.
3 (grammar) of a noun or nouns 名词的.

adj
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin;Origin: nominalis, from nomen 'name']
nominal sum/charge/fee etc
a very small sum of money, especially when compared with what something would usually cost or what it is worth
　A nominal charge is made for use of the tennis courts.
officially described as being something, when this is not really true
　the nominal head of the rebellion
　Their conversion to Christianity was only nominal.
nominal value/rate/income etc
technical a nominal value etc does not show what something is really worth or really costs, because it does not take into account changes in the price of other goods and services
≠ real
　If prices rise and the nominal wage remains constant, the real wage falls.
technical relating to nouns or used as a noun
　the nominal use of the present participle