WordGarden.ioroyal
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈɔɪəl/
US
- /ˈrɔɪəl/
Meanings
Adjective
of or relating to a king, queen, or monarchy
grand, luxurious, or splendid in a way associated with royalty
(informal)used for emphasis to mean complete, extreme, or especially bad
Noun
a member of a royal family
Beyond the definition
The word "royal" brings to mind crowns, palaces, and formal events. At its core, it describes anything connected to a king, queen, or their family, such as a royal decree, a royal wedding, or the Royal Shakespeare Company.
But it is not always about an actual crown. "Royal" is also often used to describe something grand, special, or of very high quality. You might talk about a "royal welcome" when someone is treated extremely well, or a "royal feast" when a meal feels rich and impressive. It often suggests honor, luxury, or the kind of treatment given to very important people.
"Royal" mainly relates to kings, queens, and their families. A royal family is the family of a monarch, and a royal court is the group of people who serve, advise, or appear around the monarch. The word is also used for things linked to monarchy, such as royal palaces, royal duties, royal approval, or events held in honor of a ruler.
Over time, "royal" also came to describe anything that seems grand, rich, or especially impressive. A person may receive a royal welcome if they are treated with great warmth and respect. A hotel suite, a feast, or even a color can be called "royal" when it feels luxurious or connected with high status. In card games, a royal flush is the highest possible hand in standard poker.
The word can also appear in a more informal way to add force. Someone might talk about a royal mess, a royal scolding, or a royal pain, where the idea is not monarchy but something strong, serious, or hard to ignore.
The word comes from Old French roial, from Latin regalis, meaning "kingly" or "regal." Whether it refers to an actual monarch or to something grand and impressive, "royal" usually carries a sense of importance, luxury, or high rank.
Examples
- 1
Monarchy
The royal family appeared on the balcony after the ceremony.
- 2
Palace
Tourists can visit the royal palace in the summer.
- 3
Official visit
The whole city was getting ready for a royal visit.
- 4
Special treatment
On our anniversary, the hotel gave us royal treatment.
- Phraseroyal treatment
especially kind and generous treatment
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Color
She wore a royal blue dress to the party.
- Phraseroyal blue
a strong, bright blue
- 6
Annoyance
Filling out these forms has been a royal pain.
- Phrasea royal pain
something very annoying
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- royal family
- royal palace
- royal wedding
- royal decree
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- royalnounadjective
Forms
- royalspluralnounadjective