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  • Notional
    • Today's Word

    Notional

    Notional


    NOH-shun-ul

    Definition

    (adjective) Existing only in theory or as an idea; not based on fact or reality; speculative or imaginary.

    Example

    The architect’s notional plan for a self-sustaining city sounded brilliant in the boardroom, but engineers quickly pointed out it had no basis in practical reality.

    Word Origin

    Notional derives from the Latin notio, meaning “concept” or “idea,” itself from noscere, meaning “to know.” It entered English in the late 16th century, initially used in philosophical and logical contexts to describe things that exist purely as mental constructs rather than physical realities.

    Fun Fact

    In finance, “notional value” is a term used to describe the face value of a financial contract — particularly in derivatives trading — that doesn’t actually change hands but serves as the theoretical basis for calculating payments. The global derivatives market has a notional value estimated in the hundreds of trillions of dollars, meaning most of that staggering number exists purely on paper, as a notional figure rather than real money anyone holds.

Previous Words

Notional

Today's Word Notional NOH-shun-ul Definition (adjective) Existing only in theory...

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Conflated

Today's Word Conflated kun-FLAY-ted Definition (verb) Combined or mixed two...

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Austere

Today's Word Austere aw-STEER Definition (adjective) Severe or strict in...

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Traduce

Today's Word Traduce truh-DYOOS Definition (verb) To speak falsely or...

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Fructify

Today's Word Fructify FRUK-tih-fy Definition (verb) To bear fruit or...

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