royal
1 of 2adjective
roy·al ˈrȯi(-ə)l 
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 intensive J. H. Plumb a 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
royal
2 of 2noun
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
Adjective
- kingly
- monarchal
- monarchial
- monarchical
- monarchic
- princely
- queenly
- regal
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Web Michael Wright, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 The royal procession marks one of the last in a series of solemn ceremonies that have taken place since the Queen’s death. Time, 14 Sep. 2022 For the royal procession, Markle wore a pair of pearl and diamond drop earrings that the queen gave to her ahead of their first public outing together—a visit to Chesire—back in 2018, per People. Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2022 The show presents Elizabeth’s hesitation as a matter of royal principle, however misguided. Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2022 The queen's coffin was covered in the royal standard, on which the crown jeweler placed imperial crown on a velvet cushion. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 The royal palace occupies more ground than any private residence in Benin City. David Frum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2022 Nothing is more patrimonial than a royal line of succession. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 The royal office has officially announced that Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19 at 11 a.m. BST, or 3 a.m. PT. oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2022 Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Sep. 2022 With a 42% approval rating, Charles was the seventh most popular British royal in a recent YouGov poll, below his son Prince William. David Luhnow, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 At 73 years old, Charles is the oldest British royal in history to take the throne. Jordyn Taylor, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2022 Seventh in line to the throne, the Queen's 11th great-grandchild is the most senior royal in the line of succession to have been born overseas. Cnn Staff, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 While the new legislation didn't retroactively alter the order (sorry, Princess Anne), one royal in particular experienced an immediate impact: Princess Charlotte. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2022 Until then, take a look back at Camilla in real life—from her younger years before marrying Charles to her current work as a senior royal—and get ready to compare and contrast. Sarah Madaus, Town & Country, 17 May 2022 Prince Andrew is toast, in terms of returning to his previous day job as a senior working royal, a patron of charities and military figurehead. Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2022 Of course, those aren't the only trends that the royal pioneered. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 14 Aug. 2022 See More
Adjective
The last non-royal to do so at Westminster Hall was Winston Churchill in 1965. Michael Wright, WSJ, 14 Sep. 2022 The royal procession marks one of the last in a series of solemn ceremonies that have taken place since the Queen’s death. Time, 14 Sep. 2022 For the royal procession, Markle wore a pair of pearl and diamond drop earrings that the queen gave to her ahead of their first public outing together—a visit to Chesire—back in 2018, per People. Carrie Wittmer, Glamour, 14 Sep. 2022 The show presents Elizabeth’s hesitation as a matter of royal principle, however misguided. Bethonie Butler, Washington Post, 14 Sep. 2022 The queen's coffin was covered in the royal standard, on which the crown jeweler placed imperial crown on a velvet cushion. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 14 Sep. 2022 The royal palace occupies more ground than any private residence in Benin City. David Frum, The Atlantic, 14 Sep. 2022 Nothing is more patrimonial than a royal line of succession. Timothy Noah, The New Republic, 14 Sep. 2022 The royal office has officially announced that Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19 at 11 a.m. BST, or 3 a.m. PT. oregonlive, 13 Sep. 2022 Noun
But Harry, who stepped down as a senior royal in 2020 to move to California and start a new life with Meghan was not granted the same permission. Rosa Sanchez, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Sep. 2022 With a 42% approval rating, Charles was the seventh most popular British royal in a recent YouGov poll, below his son Prince William. David Luhnow, WSJ, 9 Sep. 2022 At 73 years old, Charles is the oldest British royal in history to take the throne. Jordyn Taylor, Men's Health, 8 Sep. 2022 Seventh in line to the throne, the Queen's 11th great-grandchild is the most senior royal in the line of succession to have been born overseas. Cnn Staff, CNN, 8 Sep. 2022 While the new legislation didn't retroactively alter the order (sorry, Princess Anne), one royal in particular experienced an immediate impact: Princess Charlotte. Caroline Picard, Good Housekeeping, 8 Sep. 2022 Until then, take a look back at Camilla in real life—from her younger years before marrying Charles to her current work as a senior royal—and get ready to compare and contrast. Sarah Madaus, Town & Country, 17 May 2022 Prince Andrew is toast, in terms of returning to his previous day job as a senior working royal, a patron of charities and military figurehead. Washington Post, 16 Feb. 2022 Of course, those aren't the only trends that the royal pioneered. Sophie Dweck, Town & Country, 14 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Phrases Containing royal
Kids Definition
royal
adjective
roy·al ˈrȯi-əl
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.
royal
adjective
1
as in regal
fit for or worthy of a royal ruler the school superintendent received a royal welcome Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- regal
- aristocratic
- monarchical
- kingly
- princely
- monarchal
- imperial
- monarchic
- monarchial
- queenly
- magnificent
- baronial
- noble
- imposing
- majestic
- patrician
- monumental
- lordly
- heroic
- splendid
- heroical
- grandiose
- stately
2
as in magnificent
large and impressive in size, grandeur, extent, or conception had a royal argument over family finances Synonyms & Similar Words
- magnificent
- glorious
- regal
- epic
- majestic
- imperial
- grand
- imposing
- massive
- monumental
- baronial
- proud
- noble
- august
- heroic
- heroical
- impressive
- luxurious
- gallant
- colossal
- splendid
- lavish
- wonderful
- operatic
- grandiose
- stately
- cosmic
- formidable
- tremendous
- kingly
- princely
- remarkable
- gorgeous
- extraordinary
- marvelous
- extravagant
- magnific
- awesome
- superb
- marvellous
- sublime
- divine
- queenly
- heavenly
- monstrous
- stupendous
- terrific
- Homeric
- celestial
- wondrous
- prodigious
- cosmical
- lordly
- sumptuous
- opulent
- palatial
- pompous
- inflated
- apocalyptic
- resplendent
- palatine
- striking
- redoubtable
- awful
- sensational
- overblown
- apocalyptical
- prepossessing
- splendiferous
- killer
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- humble
- ordinary
- lowly
- modest
- common
- unheroic
- unimpressive
- unimposing
- average
- unprepossessing
- mediocre
- sordid
- abject
- shabby
- petty
- meretricious
- run-of-the-mill
- trifling
- puny
- mean
- second-rate
- trivial
- insignificant
- paltry
- measly
3
as in smooth
involving minimal difficulty or effort unfortunately, there is no royal way for a person to achieve maturity Synonyms & Similar Words
- smooth
- easy
- simple
- cheap
- ready
- light
- fluid
- downhill
- snap
- quick
- soft
- effortless
- fluent
- painless
- straightforward
- uncomplicated
- patent
- facile
- distinct
- obvious
- plain
- unmistakable
- mindless
- apparent
- hands-down
- unequivocal
- clear
- transparent
- manifest
- unambiguous
- evident
- unchallenging
- palpable
- perspicuous
- clear-cut
- open-and-shut
- idiotproof
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- murderous
- formidable
- severe
- exacting
- difficult
- killer
- stiff
- rough
- laborious
- strenuous
- tough
- arduous
- troublesome
- demanding
- oppressive
- herculean
- hard
- grueling
- toilsome
- labored
- burdensome
- painful
- onerous
- complex
- stressful
- intricate
- gruelling
- exhausting
- toilful
- complicated
- knotty
- problematic
- problematical
- taxing
- recondite
- involved
- abstruse