titular

1 of 2

adjective

tit·​u·​lar ˈti-chə-lər How to pronounce titular (audio)
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

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
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Adjective
Emilia Pérez Jacques Audiard's Emilia Pérez follows the titular Mexican cartel leader (Karla Sofía Gascón), who seeks a fresh start — and a new identity as a woman — with the help of a lawyer (Zoe Saldaña, in her Oscar-winning role). Jacqueline Weiss, PEOPLE, 7 Sep. 2025 At its core, writer-director Bretten Hannam‘s tale follows two siblings (played by Blake Alec Miranda and Forrest Goodluck) traveling through the titular haunted forest in order to exorcise some demons from their lives. William Earl, Variety, 6 Sep. 2025 The film very loosely adapts one tale from the lore of the titular Chinese protection deity, an eccentric-looking boy warrior of mystical, demonic birth. Derek Robertson, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025 Ergo, the nostalgic dramedy, wherein Francis Guinan plays the titular and venerable proprietor of Phil’s TV and Radio, and Fischer plays his daughter, Sam. Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for titular

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of titular was in 1540

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Titular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/titular. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

titular

adjective
tit·​u·​lar
ˈtich-(ə-)lər
: being something in title only : nominal
the titular head of state
titularly adverb
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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