titular

/ˈtɪtjələ(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɪtʃəlɚ] /ˈtɪtʃələr/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɪtʃəlɚ] /ˈti-chə-lər How to pronounce titular (audio) ˈtich-lər/ (ame, mw)

titular — adjective

  • titularpositive
  • more titularcomparative
  • most titularsuperlative

1. holding a rank or office in name, while another person has the real authority or

1.形容詞C2
釋義

holding a rank or office in name, while another person has the real authority or does most of the work.

例句

Although Mr. Chen was the titular chairman, his daughter made every decision.

titular + office — title without real control

The club kept Esme as its titular president after younger staff took over.

同義詞
  • nominal

    broader; often means existing officially or on paper only

  • ceremonial

    stresses honour and formality more than hidden power

反義詞
  • actual

    describes the person or role with real authority

  • effective

    stresses genuine operating power

文法句型

titular + chairman / head / president / CEO

be titular while another person holds power

用法筆記

Usually used with roles such as chairman, head, president, or CEO. It often contrasts the named office-holder with the person who actually directs events.

常見錯誤

❌She is the titular director, so she signs every order herself.
✅She is the titular director, but her deputy signs every order.
💡titular suggests the title remains, even if real control lies elsewhere.

2. used for a character, person, or object with the same name as a story, play, mov

2.形容詞C2
釋義

used for a character, person, or object with the same name as a story, play, movie, or series.

例句

Mizuki loved the titular dragon in the new children's film.

titular + character / creature in a work

In the play, the titular king never appears until the final scene.

同義詞
  • title

    as in 'title character'; plainer and slightly less formal

  • eponymous

    more academic; means giving a work its name

文法句型

titular + character / hero / role / king

用法筆記

Mostly used before nouns like character, hero, role, or king in discussion of books, plays, and films. It points to the name used in the title, not automatically to the most important figure in the story.

常見錯誤

❌The titular friend helped the hero in every scene.
✅The titular hero helped his friend in every scene.
💡use titular for the person or thing named in the title, not for any important character.