royal

¹roy·al

adjective \ˈrȯi(-ə)l\

Definition of ROYAL

1

a : of kingly ancestry <the royal family>

b : of, relating to, or subject to the crown <the royal estates>

c : being in the crown's service <Royal Air Force>

2

a : suitable for royalty : magnificent

b : requiring no exertion : easy <there is no royal road to logic — Justus Buchler>

3

a : of superior size, magnitude, or quality <a patronage of royal dimensions — J. H. Plumb> —often used as an intensive <a royal pain>

b : established or chartered by the crown

4

: of, relating to, or being a part (as a mast, sail, or yard) next above the topgallant

— roy·al·ly \ˈrȯi-ə-lē\ adverb

Examples of ROYAL

1. They received a royal welcome as they stepped off the plane.
2. <the school superintendent received a royal welcome>

Origin of ROYAL

Middle English roial, from Anglo-French real, roial, from Latin regalis, from reg-, rex king; akin to Old Irish rī (genitive rīg) king, Sanskrit rājan, Latin regere to rule — more at right

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ROYAL

Synonyms

kingly, monarchal (or monarchial), princely, queenly, regal, monarchical

Antonyms

humble, unheroic, unimposing, unimpressive

Related Words

aristocratic, baronial, imperial, lordly, noble, patrician; grandiose, heroic (also heroical), imposing, magnificent, majestic, monumental, splendid, stately

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

²royal

noun

Definition of ROYAL

1

: a person of royal blood

2

: a small sail on the royal mast immediately above the topgallant sail

3

: a stag of 8 years or more having antlers with at least 12 points

Examples of ROYAL

1. magazine stories about the private lives of royals

First Known Use of ROYAL

14th century

Rhymes with ROYAL

boil, broil, coil, foil, moil, oil, soil, spoil, toil