nominative

[ nom-uh-nuh-tiv, nom-nuh- or for 2, 3, nom-uh-ney-tiv ]
/ ˈnɒm ə nə tɪv, ˈnɒm nə- or for 2, 3, ˈnɒm əˌneɪ tɪv /

adjective

Grammar.
  1. (in certain inflected languages, as Sanskrit, Latin, and Russian) noting a case having as its function the indication of the subject of a finite verb, as in Latin Nauta bonus est “The sailor is good,” with nauta “sailor” in the nominative case.
  2. similar to such a case in function or meaning.
nominated; appointed by nomination.
made out in a person's name, as a certificate or security.

noun Grammar.

the nominative case.
a word in the nominative case.
a form or construction of similar function or meaning.

Origin of nominative

1350–1400; < Latin nominātīvus (see nominate, -ive), replacing Middle English nominatif < Middle French < Latin as above

OTHER WORDS FROM nominative

nom·i·na·tive·ly, adverb un·nom·i·na·tive, adjective

Words nearby nominative

nominalism, nominalize, nominally, nominate, nomination, nominative, nominative absolute, nominative case, nominative of address, nominee, nomism

Example sentences from the Web for nominative

British Dictionary definitions for nominative

nominative
/ (ˈnɒmɪnətɪv, ˈnɒmnə-) /

adjective

grammar denoting a case of nouns and pronouns in inflected languages that is used esp to identify the subject of a finite verb See also subjective (def. 6)
appointed rather than elected to a position, office, etc
bearing the name of a person

noun

grammar
  1. the nominative case
  2. a word or speech element in the nominative case

Derived forms of nominative

nominatival (ˌnɒmɪnəˈtaɪvəl, ˌnɒmnə-), adjective nominatively, adverb

Word Origin for nominative

C14: from Latin nōminātīvus belonging to naming, from nōmen name