titular: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, academic, journalistic
Quick answer
What does “titular” mean?
Holding or constituting a formal title or name, especially of a work of fiction.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Holding or constituting a formal title or name, especially of a work of fiction; having the title but not the real power.
Used to describe something that bears a title, or is named after a title. It can also refer to the person whose name a thing bears or from whom a title is derived. In fiction, it describes the character who gives the work its name (e.g., the titular hero).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Both variants use the word identically.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British English in political contexts (e.g., 'titular head of state'). In American English, its use in literary/film criticism (e.g., 'the titular character') is equally prevalent.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both dialects, but understood by educated speakers. Slightly higher relative frequency in UK political journalism.
Grammar
How to Use “titular” in a Sentence
the titular N (e.g., the titular character)titular head/leader/monarch ofbear the titular name ofVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “titular” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Queen is the titular head of the Church of England.
- In 'Hamlet', the titular prince struggles with revenge.
American English
- He was the titular CEO, but the board made all the decisions.
- The film's titular robot, 'EVA', learns about human emotions.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts describing a 'titular chairman' with no executive power.
Academic
Common in literary criticism and film/media studies ('the titular protagonist'), and political science/history ('the titular monarch').
Everyday
Uncommon. Most often encountered in reviews of books, films, or TV shows.
Technical
Used in legal contexts concerning titles, and in library cataloguing.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “titular”
- Confusing 'titular' with 'title-holder' (which implies a champion).
- Using it as a synonym for 'important' or 'main' without the direct link to a title/name.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
They are often synonyms when referring to something named after a person or character. However, 'eponymous' more strictly means 'giving one's name to something' (the source of the name), while 'titular' means 'relating to or bearing a title'. 'Eponymous' cannot be used for the 'nominal power' sense.
Very rarely and archaically. In modern English, it is exclusively an adjective.
Not inherently. In literary contexts, it is neutral. In political/organizational contexts, it can carry a slightly negative or pitying connotation, implying a lack of real power or influence ('merely titular').
In British English, it is typically pronounced /ˈtɪtʃʊlə/, with the stress on the first syllable and the final '-ar' sounding like the 'a' in 'about' (schwa).
Holding or constituting a formal title or name, especially of a work of fiction.
Titular is usually formal, literary, academic, journalistic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “titular head (a leader in name only)”
- “titular role (the character a play/film is named after)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the TITLE of a book. The TITULAR character is the one mentioned in the TITLE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NAME IS A CONTAINER (for identity, but the container can be empty in the 'nominal' sense).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'titular' used CORRECTLY?