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

Outside of late-night, Uecker co-starred for six seasons on the sitcom Mr. Belvedere, playing sportswriter and father George Owens, who employed the titular butler. —Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 2025

James Griffiths directs the comedy, which is set on the fictional titular Welsh island. —Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 16 Jan. 2025

Mad About the Boy, which is scheduled to premiere on Valentine’s Day, sees Zellweger’s titular character in her early 50s, navigating modern life and juggling motherhood. —Glenn Garner, Deadline, 15 Jan. 2025

That’s one of the questions Starz’s new sequel series Spartacus: House of Ashur will aim to answer, with Nick Tarabay reprising his role as the titular Syrian slave. —Nick Caruso, TVLine, 15 Jan. 2025

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