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
Justus Buchler3
a
: of superior size, magnitude, or quality
a patronage of royal dimensions—J. H. Plumb
—often used as an intensiveJ. H. Plumba royal pain
b
: established or chartered by the crown
4
: of, relating to, or being a part (such as a mast, sail, or yard) next above the topgallant
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
Synonyms
Examples of royal in a Sentence
Adjective
They received a royal welcome as they stepped off the plane.
the school superintendent received a royal welcome
Noun
magazine stories about the private lives of royals
Recent Examples on the WebBillboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023
According to the listing, the royal family made frequent visits to the abode during this time.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2023
Related: The Best Times to Visit Copenhagen for Great Weather, Lower Prices, and Fewer Crowds
Rosenberg Castle
Have a picnic in the King’s Garden after seeing the noontime changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace, the fall and winter home of the Danish royal family.
—Sunshine Flint, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2023
The machines that changed history, revisiting a royal murder, American cinema’s biggest decade and more.
‘Nuts & Bolts’ Review: The Levers That Move the World
The making of machines has been a central part of the human story.
—Wsj Books Staff, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2023
William and Kate have been regular royal guests of honor at the variety show and last attended in Nov. 2021.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
Read More: Tree Rings Hint at the Fall of the Hittite Empire
The Cuneiform Tablets of Hattusa
Today, all that's still standing in Hattusa are some of city's temples, royal residences, and fortifications, including the ruins of the Great Temple, dedicated to the god Teshub and the goddess Arinna.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
Across London, royal tributes included gun salutes and the ringing of the Westminster Abbey bells.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
The show’s sixth season will be its last telling the story of Queen Elizabeth II and Britain’s royal family in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Nov. 2023
Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2023
Since stepping back as senior working royals in 2020, Meghan and Harry have launched their nonprofit, The Archewell Foundation, which currently includes the business verticals Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
The event brought together some of the most notable modern royals and young socialites and philanthropists from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S.—all dressed in extravagant gowns, each to match their own personal style.
—Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2023
From dressing the royals to dressing your home's walls, this elegant material is making a return in fashion and interiors alike.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023
While the series has in the past treated various prime ministers as characters with equal narrative weight to most of the royals, Blair is an afterthought here.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2023
The fifth season treated Mohamed’s desperation to ingratiate himself with the royals as a sad but understandable flaw.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2023
The duality of Diana is part of the late royal’s enduring appeal, argue the pair who found the process of imagining her wardrobe endlessly fascinating.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
Corrin played the beloved royal for just one season, which spanned 1979 through 1990, before passing off the role.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
Adjective
The anime series The Apothecary Diaries is a story about Maomao, a young woman assigned as food tester in the inner palace who solves difficult cases that occur in the royal court.
—Billboard Japan, Billboard, 27 Nov. 2023
According to the listing, the royal family made frequent visits to the abode during this time.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2023
Related: The Best Times to Visit Copenhagen for Great Weather, Lower Prices, and Fewer Crowds
Rosenberg Castle
Have a picnic in the King’s Garden after seeing the noontime changing of the guard at Amalienborg Palace, the fall and winter home of the Danish royal family.
—Sunshine Flint, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2023
The machines that changed history, revisiting a royal murder, American cinema’s biggest decade and more.
‘Nuts & Bolts’ Review: The Levers That Move the World
The making of machines has been a central part of the human story.
—Wsj Books Staff, WSJ, 24 Nov. 2023
William and Kate have been regular royal guests of honor at the variety show and last attended in Nov. 2021.
—Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 23 Nov. 2023
Read More: Tree Rings Hint at the Fall of the Hittite Empire
The Cuneiform Tablets of Hattusa
Today, all that's still standing in Hattusa are some of city's temples, royal residences, and fortifications, including the ruins of the Great Temple, dedicated to the god Teshub and the goddess Arinna.
—Sean Mowbray, Discover Magazine, 21 Nov. 2023
Across London, royal tributes included gun salutes and the ringing of the Westminster Abbey bells.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 14 Nov. 2023
The show’s sixth season will be its last telling the story of Queen Elizabeth II and Britain’s royal family in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
—Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 Nov. 2023
Noun
In its 195 years, a handsome masonry mansion on Governor Nicholls Street in New Orleans has played host to a fair share of notable characters, including Hollywood royals Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
—Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 28 Nov. 2023
Since stepping back as senior working royals in 2020, Meghan and Harry have launched their nonprofit, The Archewell Foundation, which currently includes the business verticals Archewell Productions and Archewell Audio.
—Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 27 Nov. 2023
The event brought together some of the most notable modern royals and young socialites and philanthropists from Europe, Asia, Africa, and the U.S.—all dressed in extravagant gowns, each to match their own personal style.
—Kristen Bateman, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2023
From dressing the royals to dressing your home's walls, this elegant material is making a return in fashion and interiors alike.
—Kristina McGuirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Nov. 2023
While the series has in the past treated various prime ministers as characters with equal narrative weight to most of the royals, Blair is an afterthought here.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2023
The fifth season treated Mohamed’s desperation to ingratiate himself with the royals as a sad but understandable flaw.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Nov. 2023
The duality of Diana is part of the late royal’s enduring appeal, argue the pair who found the process of imagining her wardrobe endlessly fascinating.
—Alice Newbold, Vogue, 16 Nov. 2023
Corrin played the beloved royal for just one season, which spanned 1979 through 1990, before passing off the role.
—Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 15 Nov. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'royal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
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
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Time Traveler
The first known use of royal was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing royal
Dictionary Entries Near royal
Cite this Entry
“Royal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/royal. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
royal
adjective
roy·al
ˈrȯi(-ə)l
1
: of or relating to a sovereign : regal
2
: fit for a king or queen
a royal welcome
royally
adverb
ˈrȯi-ə-lē
More from Merriam-Webster on royal
Nglish: Translation of royal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of royal for Arabic Speakers
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