royal

Meanings

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Belonging to, connected with, or suitable for a king, queen, or member of their family.

   Grammar: Used before a noun: royal family, royal palace. Not usually after a verb.

   Patterns

   • royal family
   • royal palace
   • royal blood
   • royal treatment

   The royal family attended the ceremony.

   She received royal treatment at the hotel.

   The royal palace is open to the public.

2. 2nouncountable

   A member of a royal family.

   Grammar: Usually plural: 'the royals' means members of royal families.

   Patterns

   • the royals

   The royals gathered for the wedding.

   Photographers followed the royals everywhere.

3. 3adjectivebefore a nouninformal

   Used informally to emphasize how bad or extreme something is.

   Grammar: Used before a noun in informal speech: 'a royal mess'.

   Patterns

   • a royal mess
   • a royal pain

   The party was a royal mess.

   My car is a royal pain to start in winter.

Common combinations

royal family

The royal family lives in the palace.

royal treatment

They gave us royal treatment at the hotel.

royal palace

Tourists flock to see the royal palace.

royal blood

He claims to have royal blood.

royal pain

This paperwork is a royal pain.

Synonyms and how they differ

regal

Regal describes a dignified, kingly appearance or manner, while royal means actually belonging to a king or queen.

kingly

Kingly is more specific to a king, while royal can refer to any member of a royal family.

Opposites

Word family

royally adverb

In a royal manner; also informally, thoroughly (e.g., royally screwed up).

royalist noun

A supporter of a king or queen.

Commonly confused: royal or loyal?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “royal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words