First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
1royal
adjective roy·al \ˈrȯi(-ə)l\
: of or relating to a king or queen
Royal —used in names of organizations that are supported by or that serve a king or queen
: suitable for a king or queen : elaborate or impressive
Full 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
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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
Related to ROYAL
- Synonyms
- kingly, monarchal (or monarchial), princely, queenly, regal, monarchical
- Antonyms
- humble, unheroic, unimposing, unimpressive
2royal
noun
: a member of a royal family
Full 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
See royal defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of ROYAL
14th century
ROYAL Defined for Kids
royal
adjective roy·al \ˈrȯi-əl\
Definition of ROYAL for Kids
1
: of or relating to a king or queen : regal <a royal wedding>
2
: fit for a king or queen <We gave the team a royal welcome.>
— roy·al·ly adverb
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