notional
- Adjective:
- Relating to or based on ideas, concepts, or mental constructs: "Notional" describes something that exists as an idea or concept in the mind, rather than as a concrete, physical reality.
- Hypothetical, speculative, or theoretical: It can refer to a figure, amount, or scenario that is estimated or assumed for the sake of discussion, calculation, or planning, not based on actual fact.
- Imaginary or fanciful: "Notional" can describe something that is created by the imagination or is unreal.
As a concept or idea:
- The distinction between "justice" and "fairness" is largely notional; their meanings overlap significantly.
- Her understanding of the theory was still at a notional level, lacking practical application.
As a hypothetical or estimated figure:
- The budget includes a notional allowance for inflation over the next five years.
- We used a notional value of $1 million to model the project's potential return.
As something imaginary or fanciful:
- The child had a notional friend named Milo who accompanied him everywhere.
- He dismissed the rumors as mere notional fears with no basis in reality.
In linguistics: A notional word (or content word) is a word that carries semantic meaning, such as a noun, verb, adjective, or adverb, as opposed to a functional word (like "the" or "and").
- In the sentence "The quick brown fox jumps," "fox" and "jumps" are notional words.
In finance and economics: A notional amount or notional principal is a hypothetical underlying quantity upon which contractual payments (like in derivatives) are calculated. It is used for reference, not exchanged.
- The interest rate swap was based on a notional principal of $10 million.
- Notion (n): A conception of or belief about something; an impulse or desire.
- She had a vague notion of how the machine worked.
- Notionally (adv): In a notional manner; theoretically or hypothetically.
- The property is notionally divided between the two heirs.
- Conceptual: Based on mental concepts.
- Theoretical: Concerned with the theory rather than practical application.
- Hypothetical: Based on a suggested idea or theory rather than fact.
- Imaginary: Existing only in the imagination.
- Speculative: Based on conjecture rather than knowledge.
- Actual: Existing in fact; real.
- Concrete: Existing in a material or physical form; real.
- Factual: Based on or concerned with facts.
- Real: Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact.
(Note: "Notional" itself is not commonly used in fixed idioms. Its use is typically formal or technical.) - In notional terms: When describing or calculating something based on ideas or estimates rather than concrete facts. - We assessed the risk in notional terms before seeking hard data.
- being of the nature of a notion or concept
- a plan abstract and conceptional
- to improve notional comprehension
- a notional response to the question
- indulging in or influenced by fancy
- a fanciful mind
- all the notional vagaries of childhood
- not based on fact or investigation
- a notional figure of cost helps in determining production costs
- speculative knowledge
- not based on fact; unreal
- the falsehood about some fanciful secret treaties- F.D.Roosevelt
- a small child's imaginary friends
- to create a notional world for oneself