royal

1 of 2

adjective

roy·​al ˈrȯi(-ə)l How to pronounce royal (audio)
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 logicJustus Buchler
3
a
: of superior size, magnitude, or quality
a patronage of royal dimensionsJ. 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 (such as a mast, sail, or yard) next above the topgallant

royal

2 of 2

noun

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

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 Web
Adjective
The conceit is familiar: A handful of recent films (and TV shows) have given audiences royal women eagerly subverting the tropes of medieval romances. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 Doing so explains how the dragon established the pact with a long-ago king (Matt Slack) that has called for so many royal sacrifices. Peter Debruge, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 Her family and their village have fallen on hard times, and Elodie’s father, Lord Bayford (Ray Winstone), has essentially bartered her off to a royal family in need of a future queen. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Mar. 2024 Palace Addresses Rumors and Conspiracy Theories About Kate Middleton's Health in New Statement Still, Princess Kate's presence is sorely missed, and Prince William has regularly received well wishes for his wife during his recent royal engagements. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 The publication's latest report on the royal drama also notes that Prince William has stepped up his schedule of public appearances as of late. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2024 Meanwhile, Kate is due to take part in the royal family’s annual Trooping the Colour parade on June 8. TIME, 5 Mar. 2024 Throughout history, even royal women were tied to the production, and fates, of their sons. Mary McNamara, Los Angeles Times, 5 Mar. 2024 Unlike with hydraulic mills, windmill ownership was not regulated during medieval times, so ownership of these machines was not limited to those with royal power, experts said. Moira Ritter, Miami Herald, 29 Feb. 2024
Noun
With fewer working royals, the importance of being seen has never felt more vital. Anna Russell, The New Yorker, 8 Mar. 2024 The Princess starred Joey King as the titular royal who roundhouse-kicks her way out of an unfortunate betrothal. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Mar. 2024 According to Time, the list of attending royals is usually confirmed closer to the date of the actual event. Elizabeth Logan, Glamour, 6 Mar. 2024 Nearly 19 months after bidding farewell to their matriarch Queen Elizabeth — who provided decades of stability to her family and the nation until her death at age 96 in September 2022 — the royals appear vulnerable. Simon Perry, Peoplemag, 6 Mar. 2024 Both royals have temporarily suspended public engagements. Lauren Said-Moorhouse, CNN, 6 Mar. 2024 There is an entire cottage industry around the British royals and their lives, public and private. Bill Goodykoontz, The Arizona Republic, 28 Feb. 2024 Even royals have eschewed traditional white for the color—in 1935, Lady Alice Christabel Montagu Douglas Scott wore a pale pink Norman Hartnell gown to her wedding, at which the future Queen Elizabeth II was a bridesmaid. Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 26 Feb. 2024 He was most recently seen escorting the royals to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene at Sandringham on Christmas Day, and is now expected to work outside of the public eye to support the King, 75, who is receiving cancer treatment. Janine Henni, Peoplemag, 23 Feb. 2024

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 (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

Dictionary Entries Near royal

Cite this Entry

“Royal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/royal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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
ˈrȯi-ə-lē
adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on royal

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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