royalty
Royalty (noun) means Kings, queens, and their families, considered as a group. Example: “Royalty from across Europe gathered for the coronation.”
How to Use Royalty
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the royal family as a group, or money paid to a creator or owner each time their work or resource is used.
Context usually makes the meaning clear, but don't confuse the "payment" sense with a one-off fee — a royalty is typically ongoing, tied to sales or usage.
Word Forms
royalties plural, Royaltys plural
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ from across Europe gathered for the coronation.
Etymology
From Old French roialté, going back to Latin rēgālis, "royal" — the payment sense developed because royalty payments were originally rights granted by a king or the Crown.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for royalty
See all rhymes for royalty →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “royalty” mean?
The word “royalty” means kings, queens, and their families, considered as a group. In plain terms, either the royal family as a group, or money paid to a creator or owner each time their work or resource is used.
How do you pronounce “royalty”?
“Royalty” is pronounced ROY-uhl-tee (/ˈɹɔɪəlti/ in IPA).
How do you use “royalty” in a sentence?
Here is “royalty” used in a sentence: “Royalty from across Europe gathered for the coronation.”
What part of speech is “royalty”?
“Royalty” is a noun.
Where does the word “royalty” come from?
The word “royalty” comes from Latin. From Old French roialté, going back to Latin rēgālis, "royal" — the payment sense developed because royalty payments were originally rights granted by a king or the Crown.
Is “royalty” a common word?
“Royalty” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “royalty” have?
“Royalty” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: kings, queens, and their families, considered as a group.
What is the difference between royalty and a royal?
Royalty is a collective noun referring to kings, queens, and their families as a group, while "a royal" refers to one individual member of that group. Royalty is also used in an unrelated financial sense, as a payment for ongoing use of a work or property, a meaning "a royal" does not share.
How does a royalty payment work?
A royalty is a payment made to someone for the ongoing use of their work, invention, or property, such as a book, song, or oil field. The payment is typically calculated as a percentage of sales or revenue generated by that use, rather than a one-time fee.
What is the difference between a royalty and a license fee?
A royalty is usually an ongoing payment tied to actual use or sales over time, such as a percentage per copy sold, while a license fee can be a flat, one-time charge for the right to use something. Royalties therefore fluctuate with performance, whereas license fees are typically fixed.