royal
0 antonyms and opposites of royal, grouped by meaning.
Adjective — Belonging to, or connected with, a king, queen, or their family.
How to use royal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French roial, itself from Latin rēgālis, "of a king" — the same Latin root that gives us "regal" and "real" (as in the old Spanish coin).
Full origin of royal →Frequently asked questions
What does “royal” mean?
The word “royal” means belonging to, or connected with, a king, queen, or their family. In plain terms, to do with kings and queens, or grand and impressive in the way royalty is.
How do you pronounce “royal”?
“Royal” is pronounced ROY-uhl (/ˈɹɔɪ̯.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “royal” in a sentence?
Here is “royal” used in a sentence: “The royal family waved from the palace balcony.”
What is another word for “royal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “royal” include major.
What part of speech is “royal”?
Depending on how it is used, “royal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “royal” come from?
The word “royal” comes from Latin. From Old French roial, itself from Latin rēgālis, "of a king" — the same Latin root that gives us "regal" and "real" (as in the old Spanish coin).
Is “royal” a common word?
“Royal” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “royal” have?
“Royal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: belonging to, or connected with, a king, queen, or their family.
What is the difference between royal and regal?
Royal means belonging to or connected with a monarch or their family, so it describes an actual relationship, as in 'the royal palace'. Regal means resembling a monarch in grandeur or dignity, so it describes a quality anyone can have, as in 'a regal posture'. Royals are royal; impressive people can look regal.
What is the difference between royal and loyal?
Despite the rhyme, these words are unrelated. Royal means connected with a king, queen, or their family. Loyal means faithful and steadfast in supporting a person, group, or cause. A royal family is part of a monarchy; a loyal friend simply stands by you. The similar spelling is coincidental.
What is an example of royal?
Royal describes anything tied to a monarch or their household. Examples include the royal family, a royal wedding, the royal palace, and a royal decree. It also appears in official titles and institutions, such as the Royal Navy or Royal Mail, where it signals a formal link to the crown.
Does royal always relate to a king or queen?
In its core sense, yes: royal connects something to a monarch or their family. It is also used more loosely to mean splendid or first-rate, as in 'a royal welcome' or 'a right royal feast'. Even then, the sense of grandeur borrows from the idea of how monarchs are treated.