What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
nominal
Example
The company charged a nominal fee for the service. [nominal: adjective]
Example
He held the nominal position of CEO, but the real decision-making power was with the board. [nominal: adjective]
Example
I paid a nominal amount for the ticket to the museum. [nominal: adjective]
trivial
Example
Don't worry about it, it's just a trivial matter. [trivial: adjective]
Example
The professor dismissed the student's question as trivial and irrelevant. [trivial: adjective]
Example
I finished the trivial task in a matter of minutes. [trivial: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Trivial is more commonly used than nominal in everyday language. Nominal is more specific and often used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between nominal and trivial?
Nominal is more formal than trivial. It is often used in technical or academic writing to describe fees, titles, or positions.
