# nominate

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈnɒm.ɪ.neɪt/ · frequency rank #13,569

## Definitions
1. To name someone as a candidate for a particular role or position, including that of an office.
2. To specify in advance which pocket a ball will be potted in; to call; to name.
3. To designate a peer (or oneself) as corresponding to a (potentially positive or negative) description.
4. To entitle, confer a name upon.

## Etymology
PIE word
 *h₁nómn̥
The adjective is first attested in 1450, in Middle English, the verb in 1545; partly from Middle English nominat(e) (“named, designated”), from Latin nōminātus, perfect passive participle of nōminō (“to name”) (see -ate (etymology 1, 2 and 3)), from nōmen (“a name”). Participial usage of the adjective up until Early Modern English.

## Easily confused with
- **nominee** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nominate-vs-nominee)
- **nominated** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nominate-vs-nominated)
- **nominative** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nominate-vs-nominative)
- **nominal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/nominal-vs-nominate)

## Common misspellings (11)
`nmoinate`, `nnominate`, `noimnate`, `nomiante`, `nominaet`, `nominatte`, `nominnate`, `nomintae`, `nomminate`, `nomniate`, `onminate`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/nominate