Dictionary.com
definitions

lordly

[lawrd-lee]
See more synonyms for lordly on Thesaurus.com
adjective, lord·li·er, lord·li·est.
  1. suitable for a lord, as trappings or ceremonies; grand or magnificent.
  2. insolently imperious; haughty; arrogant; overbearing: lordly contempt.
  3. of or relating to a lord.
  4. having the character or attributes of a lord.
  5. befitting a lord, as actions: lordly manners.
adverb
  1. Also lord·li·ly. in the manner of a lord.

Origin of lordly

before 1000; Middle English; Old English hlāfordlīc. See lord, -ly
Related formslord·li·ness, noun

Synonyms for lordly

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. majestic, regal, dignified, noble, lofty. 2. domineering.

Antonyms for lordly

2. meek.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for lordly

arrogant, august, bossy, cavalier, condescending, despotic, dictatorial, dignified, gracious, grand, grandiose, haughty, honorable, imperious, lofty, magisterial, magnificent, majestic, masterful, noble

Examples from the Web for lordly

Contemporary Examples of lordly

  • It was no surprise that the lordly Senate approved a creatively enhanced tax deal on Monday.

    The Daily Beast logo
    The GOP's Tax Deal Jitters

    John Batchelor

    December 14, 2010

Historical Examples of lordly

  • He carried his head loftily, and there was a lordly flaunt to his tail.

  • And many a tug did this lordly fear cost us both, God knows!

    Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • Donald had from the start constituted himself her protector in a lordly way.

  • A great desire seized me to look on the lordly pile once more.

    Wilfrid Cumbermede

    George MacDonald

  • But to Menon, it was said, he sent gifts with lordly liberality.

    Anabasis

    Xenophon

British Dictionary definitions for lordly

lordly

adjective -lier or -liest
  1. haughty; arrogant; proud
  2. of or befitting a lord
adverb
  1. archaic in the manner of a lord
Derived Formslordliness, noun
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
Word Origin and History for lordly
adj.

14c., from Old English hlafordlic "lordly, noble;" see lord (n.) + -ly (1). As an adverb from mid-14c.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper