A number that hasnÂ’t been adjusted. For example, a sales number that hasnÂ’t been adjusted for price changes is a nominal sales number. A nominal interest rate is the interest rate that is actually paid, as opposed to the amount that is owed. If a consumer pays 8 percent on a car loan, the nominal interest rate is 8 percent. Nominal income means income that hasnÂ’t been adjusted for any changes in the dollarÂ’s purchasing power. Nominal dollar means money that hasnÂ’t been adjusted for inflation.