imperial

¹im·pe·ri·al

adjective \im-ˈpir-ē-əl\

Definition of IMPERIAL

1

a : of, relating to, befitting, or suggestive of an empire or an emperor

b (1) : of or relating to the United Kingdom as distinguished from the constituent parts (2) : of or relating to the Commonwealth of Nations and British Empire

2

a : sovereign

b : regal, imperious

3

: of superior or unusual size or excellence

4

: belonging to the official British series of weights and measures — see weight table

— im·pe·ri·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb

Examples of IMPERIAL

1. a member of the imperial family
2. <envisioned an imperial city that would rival the capitals of Europe for beauty and magnificence>

Origin of IMPERIAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin imperialis, from Latin imperium command, empire

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to IMPERIAL

Synonyms

august, baronial, epic, gallant, glorious, grandiose, heroic (also heroical), Homeric, grand, imposing, magnific, magnificent, majestic, massive, monumental, noble, proud, regal, royal, splendid, stately

Antonyms

humble, unheroic, unimposing, unimpressive

Related Words

colossal, monstrous, prodigious, stupendous, tremendous; kingly, lordly, princely, queenly; awesome, awful, cosmic (also cosmical), sublime, wondrous; formidable, impressive, prepossessing, redoubtable; apocalyptic (also apocalyptical), inflated, operatic, overblown, pompous; marvelous (or marvellous), superb, terrific, wonderful; extravagant, lavish, luxurious, opulent, palatial, palatine, sumptuous; gorgeous, resplendent, splendiferous; extraordinary, killer, remarkable, sensational, striking; celestial, divine, heavenly

Near Antonyms

lowly, modest, unprepossessing; average, common, mediocre, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, second-rate; abject, mean, meretricious, shabby, sordid; insignificant, measly, paltry, petty, puny, trifling, trivial

Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with IMPERIAL

arterial, bacterial, diphtherial, empyreal, ethereal, funereal, material, sidereal, venereal, vizierial

²imperial

noun

Definition of IMPERIAL

1

capitalized : an adherent or soldier of the Holy Roman emperor

2

: emperor

3

[French impériale; from the beard worn by Napoléon III] : a pointed beard growing below the lower lip

4

: something of unusual size or excellence

First Known Use of IMPERIAL

circa 1524

Other Fashion Terms

bodkin, chignon, cowlick, eau de toilette, pocket, pomander, tonsorial