titular

1 of 2

adjective

tit·​u·​lar ˈti-chə-lər 

ˈtich-lər

1

a

: having the title and usually the honors belonging to an office or dignity without the duties, functions, or responsibilities

the titular head of a political party

b

: existing in title only

especially : bearing a title derived from a defunct ecclesiastical jurisdiction (such as an episcopal see)

a titular bishop

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a title

the titular hero of the play

3

: bearing a title : titled

titularly adverb

titular

2 of 2

noun

: a person holding a title

Synonyms

Adjective

• formal
• nominal
• paper

Examples of titular in a Sentence

Adjective

Although retired, he remains the titular chairman of the company.

he's the titular head of the department, though it's the assistant managers who largely run things around here

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The layers of contrivance necessary to get the titular mole agent and various cameras into the senior home left me constantly aware of the artificiality of moments that were meant to be real. —Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Nov. 2024

Hathaway will play the reclusive titular Verity, whose latest unfinished manuscript includes chilling admissions about Verity and her family’s past. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 20 Nov. 2024

Soon, however, Ashleigh discovers shocking manuscripts by the titular author and descends into a dark exploration of the Crawfords’ past. —Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 20 Nov. 2024

Vampire Therapist features the titular figure helping his patients improve their immortal lives through cognitive-behavioral therapy. —Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Latin titulus title

First Known Use

Adjective

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1540, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

titular

adjective

tit·​u·​lar

ˈtich-(ə-)lər

: being something in title only : nominal

the titular head of state

titularly adverb