imperial

¹ American  

[im-peer-ee-uhl] / ɪmˈpɪər i əl /

adjective

1. of, like, or pertaining to an empire.

2. of, like, or pertaining to an emperor or empress.

3. characterizing the rule or authority of a sovereign state over its dependencies.

4. of the nature or rank of an emperor or supreme ruler.

5. of a commanding quality, manner, aspect, etc.

6. domineering; imperious.

   Synonyms:

   autocratic, high-handed, despotic

7. befitting an emperor or empress; regal; majestic; grand.

8. of special or superior size or quality, as various products and commodities.

9. (of weights and measures) conforming to the standards legally established in Great Britain.

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noun

1. a size of printing or drawing paper, 22 × 30 inches (56 × 76 centimeters) in England, 23 × 33 inches (58 × 84 centimeters) in the United States.

2. imperial octavo, a size of book, about 8¼ × 11½ inches (21 × 29 centimeters), untrimmed, in the United States, and 7½ × 11 inches (19 × 28 centimeters), untrimmed, in England. imperial 8vo

3. Chiefly British. imperial quarto, a size of book, about 11 × 15 inches (28 × 38 centimeters), untrimmed. imperial 4to

4. the top of a carriage, especially of a diligence.

5. a case for luggage carried there.

6. a member of an imperial party or of imperial troops.

7. an emperor or empress.

8. any of various articles of special size or quality.

9. an oversized bottle used especially for storing Bordeaux wine, equivalent to 8 regular bottles or 6 liters (6.6 quarts).

imperial ² American  

[im-peer-ee-uhl] / ɪmˈpɪər i əl /

noun

1. a small, pointed beard beneath the lower lip.

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imperial ³ American  

[im-peer-ee-uhl] / ɪmˈpɪər i əl /

noun

1. a Russian gold coin originally worth 10 rubles and from 1897 to 1917 worth 15 rubles.

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imperial ¹ British  

/ ɪmˈpɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to an empire, emperor, or empress

2. characteristic of or befitting an emperor; majestic; commanding

3. characteristic of or exercising supreme authority; imperious

4. (esp of products and commodities) of a superior size or quality

5. (usually prenominal) (of weights, measures, etc) conforming to standards or definitions legally established in Britain

   an imperial gallon

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noun

1. any of various book sizes, esp 7 1/ 2 by 11 inches ( imperial octavo ) or (chiefly Brit) 11 by 15 inches ( imperial quarto )

2. a size of writing or printing paper, 23 by 31 inches (US and Canadian) or 22 by 30 inches (Brit)

3. (formerly) a Russian gold coin originally worth ten roubles

4. 1. the top of a carriage, such as a diligence

   2. a luggage case carried there

5. architect a dome that has a point at the top

6. a small tufted beard popularized by the emperor Napoleon III

7. a member of an imperial family, esp an emperor or empress

8. a red deer having antlers with fourteen points

Imperial ² British  

/ ɪmˈpɪərɪəl /

adjective

1. (sometimes not capital) of or relating to a specified empire, such as the British Empire

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noun

1. a supporter or soldier of the Holy Roman Empire

Other Word Forms

• imperially adverb
• imperialness noun

Etymology

Origin of imperial¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English, from Late Latin imperiālis, equivalent to Latin imperi(um) “supreme authority, rule, empire” + -ālis adjective suffix; replacing Middle English emperial, from Middle French, from Late Latin, as above; see origin at imperium, -al ¹

Origin of imperial²

First recorded in 1835–45; from French impériale, noun use of feminine of impérial; see imperial ¹

Origin of imperial³

First recorded in 1760–70; from Russian imperiál, ultimately from Medieval Latin imperiālis a coin, noun use of Late Latin imperiālis; see imperial ¹

Explanation

Imperial carries the implication of royalty, usually pertaining to an empire; the emperor or empress is referred to as "your imperial highness." The word imperial has a lofty feel, and though it's often used of royalty, it is sometimes used to refer to anything extremely large or impressive. It was once the name of a large suitcase that was too big to fit inside a coach and so was tied on top. Think of something imperial as being something so upper-class that it's almost to the point of royalty — and sometimes almost to the point of being a joke.

Example Sentences

The contest’s co-host Victoria Swarovski, singer, model and crystal heiress, says the city is a true metropolis best experienced on foot—where imperial architecture and centuries-old cafés weave through contemporary restaurants and nightlife.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

This distinction mattered enormously to the founders, who were deeply suspicious of standing armies and associated them with tyranny and imperial overreach.

From Slate • Apr. 15, 2026

For the British, it was the beginning of the end of their imperial domination of the Middle East.

From BBC • Mar. 28, 2026

In his will, written shortly before his death in 1821, Napoleon left several imperial keepsakes -- including two of his last hats -- to his son, the King of Rome.

From Barron's • Mar. 26, 2026

Bubbles representing the effervescence of American life, of our postwar optimism, of our fizzy, imperial, carbonated drinks.

From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides

Related Words

• royal
• stately