Word
notional
Phoneticsno·tion·al, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈnoʊʃənəɫ/
UK/nˈəʊʃənəl/
Definition
adj. existing only as an idea, not as something real. You use it when something is theoretical or imagined rather than actual.
adj. existing only in theory or as an idea, without real or practical existence. Often describes amounts, values, or distinctions used for calculation or analysis rather than representing actual things.
Examples
“The profit is notional until they sell the house.”
“The fund reports a notional value of ten million dollars for risk calculations, though far less cash actually changes hands.”
“Economists warned that the bank's notional exposure to derivatives vastly exceeded its tangible assets, creating a fragile structure that could collapse if market confidence faltered.”
Examples
simple
“The profit is notional until they sell the house.”
contextual
“The fund reports a notional value of ten million dollars for risk calculations, though far less cash actually changes hands.”
complex
“Economists warned that the bank's notional exposure to derivatives vastly exceeded its tangible assets, creating a fragile structure that could collapse if market confidence faltered.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “notional” in context.
Verb
01. become notional
“Without enforcement, the emission limits will become notional.”
verb + adj
02. consider notional
“Auditors consider the surplus notional until cash is actually received.”
verb + adj
03. dismiss as notional
“Critics dismissed the targets as notional with no enforcement mechanism.”
verb + prep + adj
Adjective
04. entirely notional
“Any profit at this stage is entirely notional until the shares are sold.”
adv + adj
05. largely notional
“The border between the two zones remains largely notional.”
adv + adj
Noun
06. notional amount
“The contract specifies a notional amount used to calculate interest.”
adj + noun
07. notional distinction
“The difference between the two categories is a notional distinction.”
adj + noun
08. notional loss
“Investors faced a notional loss when share prices dipped temporarily.”
adj + noun
09. notional profit
“The company reported a notional profit before assets were actually sold.”
adj + noun
10. notional value
“The derivative has a notional value of ten million dollars.”
adj + noun
11. dismiss targets as notional
“Opposition MPs dismissed the government's targets as notional and unenforceable.”
12. notional value of contract
“The notional value of the contract far exceeds its current market price.”
Real-World Examples
“The narrative is, in judicial terms (pitched, as it is, at a notional jury), a disavowal or diminution of responsibility on behalf of the accused, or a re-attribution of responsibility.” Etymology
From notion + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/notional