rial

1 of 2

noun (1)

ri·​al rē-ˈȯl 

-ˈäl

variants or less commonly riyal

: the basic monetary unit of Iran, Oman, and Yemen see Money Table

rial

2 of 2

noun (2)

ri·​al

less common spelling of riyal

: the basic monetary unit of Qatar and Saudi Arabia see Money Table

Examples of rial in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Residents of Tehran and other cities told Reuters some prices have shot up around 40% since the war began, as the rial has plunged 8% against the dollar on the black market. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026

The Iranian rial is already verging on collapse. —Robin Wright, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 2026

Iran is reportedly planning to charge firms in cryptocurrency to pass through the strait — $1 per barrel of oil — a move that reflects how the regime’s digital currency ecosystem has grown due to sanctions and the rial’s devaluation, The Wall Street Journal wrote. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 9 Apr. 2026

The deadliest crackdown yet The latest demonstrations touched off in late December in Tehran’s traditional bazaar after the country’s currency, the rial, currency plunged to a record low of 1.42 million to the U.S. dollar. —Dallas Morning News, 28 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Persian, from Arabic riyāl riyal

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1930, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rial

• dial
• thiol
• trial
• vial
• denial
• mistrial
• posttrial
• pretrial
• retrial
• sensorial
• supervisorial