tit·u·lar
ˈti-chə-lər 
ˈtich-lər
1
a
: having the title and usually the honors belonging to an office or dignity without the duties, functions, or responsibilities
the titular head of a political party
b
: existing in title only
especially
: bearing a title derived from a defunct ecclesiastical jurisdiction (such as an episcopal see)
a titular bishop
2
: of, relating to, or constituting a title
the titular hero of the play
3
: bearing a title : titled
titularly
adverb
: a person holding a title
Examples of titular in a Sentence
Adjective
Although retired, he remains the titular chairman of the company.
he's the titular head of the department, though it's the assistant managers who largely run things around here
Recent Examples on the Web
Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
James Van Der Beek, who played the titular Dawson Leery on Kevin Williamson’s WB hit Dawson’s Creek and also starred in Varsity Blues, The Rules of Attraction and other films and TV shows, died Wednesday after a long battle with colorectal cancer.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
The titular Rose here is a ship that’s returned to a Cornish village 30 years after disappearing previously.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2026
Chopra Jonas sparked twice as much buzz as her titular co-stars based on volume, headlines and quoting intensity.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for titular
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Adjective
James Van Der Beek, a heartthrob who starred in coming-of-age dramas at the dawn of the new millennium, shooting to fame playing the titular character in Dawson’s Creek and in later years mocking his own hunky persona, has died.
—Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
James Van Der Beek, who played the titular Dawson Leery on Kevin Williamson’s WB hit Dawson’s Creek and also starred in Varsity Blues, The Rules of Attraction and other films and TV shows, died Wednesday after a long battle with colorectal cancer.
—Erik Pedersen, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2026
The titular Rose here is a ship that’s returned to a Cornish village 30 years after disappearing previously.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 11 Feb. 2026
Chopra Jonas sparked twice as much buzz as her titular co-stars based on volume, headlines and quoting intensity.
—Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for titular
Cite this Entry
“Titular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/titular. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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