riyal

1 of 2

noun (1)

ri·​yal rē-ˈyäl How to pronounce riyal (audio)
-ˈyal
variants or less commonly rial
the basic monetary unit of Qatar and Saudi Arabia see Money Table

riyal

2 of 2

noun (2)

ri·​yal

less common spelling of rial

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

Examples of riyal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Price targets range from 25.4 riyals ($6.77) to 34.7 riyals a share. Matthew Martin, semafor.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Capital expenditure picked up slightly to 46.2 billion Saudi riyal in the June quarter, up from 45.5 billion Saudi riyal in the same period a year prior. Natasha Turak,ruxandra Iordache, CNBC, 5 Aug. 2025 Following the publication of its results, Saudi Aramco shares ended trading at 24.02 riyal ($6.4) per share on the Tadawul on Tuesday, nearly 12% below the 27.35 riyal price of its secondary share offering in 2024. Gaurav Sharma, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025 The oil and gas monarchies of the Gulf throw riyals and dirhams at almost everything money can buy: artificial intelligence companies and hedge funds, football clubs and futuristic cities, golf and grand prix, think tanks and universities, pop stars and American politicians. Dina Esfandiary, Time, 1 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for riyal

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Arabic riyāl, from Spanish real real

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1856, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of riyal was in 1856

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Riyal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riyal. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

riyal

noun
ri·​yal
rē-ˈyäl
1
: the basic unit of money of Qatar and Saudi Arabia
2
: a bill representing one riyal

More from Merriam-Webster on riyal

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