In the grammar of some languages, the nominative or the nominative case is the case used for a noun when it is the subject of a verb. Compare accusative.
nominative in British English
(ˈnɒmɪnətɪv, ˈnɒmnə-)
adjective
1. grammar
denoting a case of nouns and pronouns in inflected languages that is used esp to identify the subject of a finite verb
See also subjective (sense 6)
2.
appointed rather than elected to a position, office, etc
3.
bearing the name of a person
noun
4. grammar
a.
the nominative case
b.
a word or speech element in the nominative case
Derived forms
nominatival (ˌnɒmɪnəˈtaɪvəl, ˌnɒmnə-)
adjective
nominatively (ˈnominatively)
adverb
Word origin
C14: from Latin nōminātīvus belonging to naming, from nōmen name
nominative in American English
(ˈnɑmənətɪv; for 1 & 2, also, ˈnɑməˌneɪtɪv)
adjective
1.
appointed or filled by appointment
2.
having the name of a person on it, as a stock certificate
3. Grammar
designating, of, or in the case of the subject of a finite verb
noun
4.
the nominative case
5.
a word in this case
Word origin
ME nomenatyf < OFr nominatif < L nominativus, belonging to a name < pp. of nominare: see nominate
Examples of 'nominative' in a sentence
nominative
The nominative case is used as the subject of a sentence or a clause.
Marius, Richard A Short Guide to Writing About History (1995)
Sometimes choosing the nominative case sounds so formal as to be absurdly stilted.