nominee
B2Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
A person who is formally proposed or selected for a position, office, award, or honour.
Any entity (person, film, book, etc.) formally entered into consideration for a distinction. Also used in legal/financial contexts for a person designated to act on behalf of another (e.g., bank account nominee).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a formal selection process. The focus is on being chosen *for* consideration, not necessarily winning. Often used in passive constructions (e.g., 'was nominated').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. 'Nominee' is equally standard in both legal and award contexts. No significant spelling or meaning variation.
Connotations
Slightly more frequent in US media due to the prominence of award shows (Oscars, Emmys) and political primaries.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties in news, legal, and entertainment contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
nominee for (the award)nominee of (the party)nominee in (the category)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The nominee is in the envelope.”
- “A surprise nominee”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A person put forward for a directorship or a representative role (e.g., 'shareholder nominee').
Academic
A person proposed for a scholarship, research grant, or academic prize.
Everyday
Used when discussing awards, competitions, or local elections.
Technical
In law/finance: a person in whose name a stock, property, or account is registered, often holding it for another's benefit.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The board will nominate a new chair next week.
- I'd like to nominate Sarah for the volunteer award.
American English
- The committee nominated her for the leadership role.
- We can nominate any member for the position.
adverb
British English
- This is not a nominatively listed position.
- The shares were held nominatively.
American English
- The property was registered nominatively.
- He acted nominatively for the trust.
adjective
British English
- The nominating committee met yesterday.
- He is in a nominative capacity.
American English
- The nomination process is lengthy.
- She received a nominative petition.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is a nominee for class president.
- The film was a nominee for an award.
- The party's presidential nominee gave a speech.
- Three nominees are waiting for the final decision.
- Despite being the favourite nominee, she ultimately lost the election.
- All nominees must submit their paperwork by Friday.
- The shortlist of nominees for the Booker Prize was exceptionally strong this year.
- He acted as a nominee shareholder to maintain the beneficiary's anonymity.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Nominee' = 'NOMe' (like 'name') + 'IN' + 'EE' (a person). It's the person whose name is put IN for something.
Conceptual Metaphor
BEING CHOSEN IS BEING NAMED / A CONTESTANT IS A NAMED ENTITY.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'номинант' as the primary translation; the more standard Russian equivalent is 'кандидат' or 'номинированное лицо'. 'Номинант' is a recent loanword and may sound affected.
- Do not confuse with 'назначенец' (appointee). A nominee is *proposed*, not yet appointed.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'nominee' interchangeably with 'winner'. Incorrect: 'She was the nominee for Best Actress, so she received the trophy.' (Correct: '...so she *became* the nominee' or '...so she *won* the award.')
- Misspelling as 'nominie' or 'nominee'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'nominee to' instead of 'nominee for'.
Practice
Quiz
In a financial context, a 'nominee' often refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A nominee is someone who has been formally put forward for consideration. The winner is selected from among the nominees.
Yes. Films, books, songs, etc., can be nominees (e.g., 'The movie was a nominee for Best Picture').
They are often interchangeable, but 'nominee' often implies a later, more formal stage in a process (e.g., a party's nominee has won a primary). 'Candidate' is broader and used earlier.
The verb is 'to nominate'. The related noun for the act is 'nomination'.
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