imperial

[ im-peer-ee-uhl ]

/ ɪmˈpɪər i əl /

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See synonyms for: imperial / imperials on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, like, or pertaining to an empire.

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

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

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

of a commanding quality, manner, aspect, etc.

domineering; imperious.

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

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

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

noun

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.

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. Abbreviation: imperial 8vo

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

the top of a carriage, especially of a diligence.

a case for luggage carried there.

a member of an imperial party or of imperial troops.

an emperor or empress.

any of various articles of special size or quality.

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

OTHER WORDS FOR imperial

6 despotic, high-handed, autocratic.

See synonyms for imperial on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of imperial

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, -al¹

OTHER WORDS FROM imperial

im·pe·ri·al·ly, adverbim·pe·ri·al·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH imperial

imperative, imperial , imperious

Other definitions for imperial (2 of 3)

imperial²

[ im-peer-ee-uhl ]

/ ɪmˈpɪər i əl /

noun

a small, pointed beard beneath the lower lip.

Origin of imperial

First recorded in 1835–45; from French impériale, noun use of feminine of impérial; see imperial¹

Other definitions for imperial (3 of 3)

imperial³

[ im-peer-ee-uhl ]

/ ɪmˈpɪər i əl /

noun

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

Origin of imperial

First recorded in 1760–70; from Russian imperiál, ultimately from Medieval Latin imperiālis a coin, noun use of Late Latin imperiālis; see imperial¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use imperial in a sentence

Each week I read a jillion jokes to find the best material,Deciding which to print with my authority imperial.
Style Invitational Week 1424: We Bee back — a neologism contest|Pat Myers|February 18, 2021|Washington Post
There are too few trees, and those there are line long, imperial “allées.”
Sculpture parks are a great way to see art during a pandemic. Here’s why some are better than others.|Sebastian Smee|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
It is said to have been composed by a certain Prokopios of Caesarea as a tell-all memoir on the imperial family.
What the QAnon of the 6th Century Teaches Us About Conspiracies|Roland Betancourt|February 3, 2021|Time
To which he answers, imperially, "What do you prefer, playing golf?"
French Political Sex Movie About DSK Sets Cannes Aquiver|Tracy McNicoll|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She walked away, imperially offended, and stood looking out of a window that faced the street.
The Doomsman|Van Tassel Sutphen
A tall, imperially stately woman has come sauntering down the path from the house.
Guy Kenmore's Wife and The Rose and the Lily|Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
A slight, a very slight shiver passes over the imperially-molded form.
Guy Kenmore's Wife and The Rose and the Lily|Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
She clasps her hands and shivers through all her imperially perfect form.
Guy Kenmore's Wife and The Rose and the Lily|Mrs. Alex McVeigh Miller
We find ourselves instinctively "thinking Imperially," regarding things from the Throne side—from above instead of from below.
Lotus Buds|Amy Carmichael

British Dictionary definitions for imperial (1 of 2)

imperial

/ (ɪmˈpɪərɪəl) /

adjective

of or relating to an empire, emperor, or empress

characteristic of or befitting an emperor; majestic; commanding

characteristic of or exercising supreme authority; imperious

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

(usually prenominal) (of weights, measures, etc) conforming to standards or definitions legally established in Britainan imperial gallon

noun

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

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

(formerly) a Russian gold coin originally worth ten roubles

the top of a carriage, such as a diligence
a luggage case carried there

architect a dome that has a point at the top

a small tufted beard popularized by the emperor Napoleon III

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

a red deer having antlers with fourteen points

Derived forms of imperial

imperially, adverbimperialness, noun

Word Origin for imperial

C14: from Late Latin imperiālis, from Latin imperium command, authority, empire

British Dictionary definitions for imperial (2 of 2)

Imperial

/ (ɪmˈpɪərɪəl) /

adjective

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

noun

a supporter or soldier of the Holy Roman Empire

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

imperial

OTHER WORDS FOR imperial

Origin of imperial

OTHER WORDS FROM imperial

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH imperial

Other definitions for imperial (2 of 3)

Origin of imperial

Other definitions for imperial (3 of 3)

Origin of imperial

Words related to imperial

How to use imperial in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for imperial (1 of 2)

Derived forms of imperial

Word Origin for imperial

British Dictionary definitions for imperial (2 of 2)