nominate

nominate — verb

1. When you nominate someone, you formally suggest their name as a possible choice

1.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

When you nominate someone, you formally suggest their name as a possible choice during an official process, such as an election or a selection for a job or honour.

Example

Aarav's colleagues nominated him for the Employee of the Year award.

nominate + person + for + award

The local branch nominated Esteban to run for city council this year.

nominate + person + to-infinitive (run for office)

Common collocations
  • nominate for
  • nominate as
  • officially nominate
  • formally nominate
Synonyms
  • propose

    Less formal and broader in use; you can propose an idea, whereas nominate is specific to people, works, or honours in a formal process.

  • recommend

    Focuses on giving a positive opinion, not on placing a name into an official selection or election process.

  • put forward

    A phrasal verb common in British English, often interchangeable with nominate in formal contexts.

Antonyms
  • reject

    To refuse to accept someone as a candidate.

Grammar Patterns

nominate + person + for + position/award

nominate + person + as + role

nominate + person + to-infinitive

Usage Note

In this sense, the person is only suggested as a possible choice. Being nominated does not mean the person has been selected or appointed. Frequent prepositions: 'for' (the position or honour) and 'as' (the role).

Common Mistakes

The president nominated Mathieu as the new minister yesterday.' (when meaning he was actually appointed).
The president nominated Mathieu for the position of minister yesterday.
Use sense 3 (APPOINT TO ROLE) for actual appointment; sense 1 only means the name was suggested.

2. To put forward a creative work (a film, song, TV programme, book, or performance

2.verbtransitiveB1
Definition

To put forward a creative work (a film, song, TV programme, book, or performance) for an official award, so that it can be judged for a prize in a particular category.

Example

Sora's debut album was nominated for a Grammy in the Pop category.

passive: be nominated for [award category]

The television network wants its drama series to be nominated for Best New Show at this year's awards.

submit + to be nominated for [prize]

Common collocations
  • nominated for an award
  • nominated in a category
  • nominated by the academy
  • officially nominated
Synonyms
  • shortlist

    Refers to the result of being selected from a longer list of candidates, rather than the act of nominating itself.

  • enter

    Less formal and broader; you can enter a competition without being officially nominated.

Grammar Patterns

be nominated for + award name

nominate + work + for + prize/category

Usage Note

Commonly used in the passive voice ('be nominated for'). The subject is a creative work (film, album, show, book), not a person. In Taiwan, the equivalent concept is often expressed with the verb 入圍, which implies being shortlisted as a finalist.

Common Mistakes

The actor nominated the film for Best Picture.' (if meaning the film was entered).
The film was nominated for Best Picture by the studio.
The studio or production company does the nominating of the work, not the actor.

3. To officially select a person for a particular job, position, or responsibility,

3.verbtransitiveB2
Definition

To officially select a person for a particular job, position, or responsibility, giving them the authority to perform that role.

Example

The president nominated Mathieu to serve as the new finance minister last week.

nominate + person + to serve as [role]

The board nominated Yara to lead the investigation into the data breach.

nominate + person + to lead [task]

Common collocations
  • nominated to serve
  • nominated as
  • nominated by the board
  • formally nominated
Synonyms
  • appoint

    Directly interchangeable in this sense; 'appoint' is slightly more common for official positions, while 'nominate' can imply the person is chosen for a specific task.

  • designate

    More formal and often used for official titles or roles; implies a clear assignment of responsibility.

  • assign

    Less formal and broader; can be used for everyday tasks, not just official roles.

Antonyms
  • dismiss

    To remove someone from a role or position.

  • remove

    To take someone out of a role they were nominated to.

Grammar Patterns

nominate + person + as + role

nominate + person + to-infinitive

nominate + person + to + noun phrase

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1 (PROPOSE AS CANDIDATE): in this sense the person is actually chosen and receives the role or task, not merely put forward as a possibility. This sense is formal and often appears in government, corporate, or committee contexts.

Common Mistakes

My manager nominated me to attend the training.' (if meaning 'suggested I go').
My manager nominated me to attend the training.
This works if the manager had the authority to select you. If they only suggested you while someone else decides, use sense 1 instead.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: verb/1

All four words involve suggesting someone or something, but they differ in formality and process. Nominate is the most formal: it places a name into an official selection or election system — committees nominate candidates, and ballots list nominees. Propose is also formal but broader in scope: you can propose a plan, a solution, or a person, while nominate is restricted to candidates, works, or honours. Recommend is less formal and focuses on giving a positive opinion rather than activating a process — you recommend a colleague for a job to a hiring manager, but the committee nominates that person. Put forward is a phrasal verb common in British and Australian English, often used in semi-formal contexts as a synonym for nominate. For example: The board put forward three candidates, and the shareholders voted.

nominate ↗propose ↗recommend ↗put forward ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • put forward for nomination
  • right to nominate
  • nominate in writing

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinOld FrenchEnglish

From Latin 'nominare' meaning 'to call by name, to name,' which comes from 'nomen' (name). The idea is that when you nominate someone, you speak their name aloud as a candidate or choice. The word entered English through Old French 'nommer' and later Latin 'nominatus' in the 15th century. The sense of putting forward a work for an award developed in the mid-20th century alongside the growth of film and music award ceremonies.