regal

¹ American  

[ree-guhl] / ˈri gəl /

adjective

1. of or relating to a king; royal.

   the regal power.

2. befitting or resembling a king.

3. stately; splendid.

   Antonyms:

   base

---

regal ² American  

[ree-guhl] / ˈri gəl /

noun

1. a portable reed organ of the 16th and 17th centuries.

---

regal ¹ British  

/ ˈriːɡəl /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or befitting a king or queen; royal

---

regal ² British  

/ ˈriːɡəl /

noun

1. (sometimes plural) a portable organ equipped only with small reed pipes, popular from the 15th century and recently revived for modern performance

---

Usage

What does regal mean? Regal is of or relating to royalty, as in Because Elizabeth is the queen, she has regal powers that no one else has. Regal also describes something thought to be fitting for or resembling a king or queen. A regal stance involves standing up straight, with your arms behind your back and your head held high. Finally, regal can describe something stately and splendid. A regal coat would be one so fancy that only someone who was royalty would normally wear it. Example: The regal ball is held in the palace every year and the whole royal family and all their advisors attend.

Related Words

See kingly.

Other Word Forms

• regally
  adverb
• regalness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of regal¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English, from Latin rēgālis royal

Origin of regal²

First recorded in 1540–50; Middle French regale, further origin uncertain

Explanation

Even though he was homeless, Dan had a regal bearing. Regal is an adjective that describes things that appear to be royal. There are several synonyms for regal, but they all have slightly different meanings. Reserve regal for those instances when the person or thing truly seems like it wants to be the queen, actually is the queen, or looks like it might belong to the queen. My French teacher has a truly regal bearing: she stands stick-straight, with her chin in the air, and acts as though she's the queen and we're her court. A regal attitude from a trembling Chihuahua is the height of irony: that little bugger couldn't rule a cat-box, let alone a whole country.

Example Sentences

When I met the movie star Audrey Hepburn, she was elegant and regal and charming, which I had expected.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

He brought out Kehlani for “Folded,” another perfectly regal ballad that revels in a small aperture.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Beneath her veneer of regal dignity Ms. Faridany reveals the character’s icy heart.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Jessie Buckley, the favorite to win the best actress Oscar for her portrayal of William Shakespeare's grief-stricken wife in "Hamnet," looked regal in a red Chanel off-the-shoulder bodice and flowing pink ball skirt.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

He stood to his full height, his face regal behind the lines of grief.

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss