adj
princely
PRIHNS-lee
Princely (adj) means Fit for or resembling a prince; lavish or generous. Example: “He was paid a princely sum for the job.”
adj
1
Fit for or resembling a prince; lavish or generous.
"He was paid a princely sum for the job."
"They stayed in princely comfort at the resort."
How to use princely
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGrand, generous, or fit for royalty — often used ironically about money, as in "a princely sum."
Common mistake
"A princely sum" is often used sarcastically to mean a surprisingly small amount, so check the context.
Common pairings
a princely sum
princely comfort
princely manner
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Word forms
- Comparative
- princelier, more princely
- Superlative
- princeliest, most princely
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He was paid a _____ sum for the job.
Etymology
From Middle English princely, formed from prince plus the suffix -ly.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for princely
See all rhymes for princely →Frequently asked questions
What does “princely” mean?
The word “princely” means fit for or resembling a prince; lavish or generous. In plain terms, grand, generous, or fit for royalty — often used ironically about money, as in "a princely sum.".
How do you pronounce “princely”?
“Princely” is pronounced PRIHNS-lee (/ˈpɹɪnsli/ in IPA).
How do you use “princely” in a sentence?
Here is “princely” used in a sentence: “He was paid a princely sum for the job.”
What is the opposite of “princely”?
The opposite of “princely” — its antonyms — is unprincely.
What part of speech is “princely”?
“Princely” is an adjective.
Where does the word “princely” come from?
The word “princely” comes from Middle English. From Middle English princely, formed from prince plus the suffix -ly.
