regal
1 Americanadjective
-
of or relating to a king; royal.
the regal power.
-
befitting or resembling a king.
-
stately; splendid.
- Antonyms:
- base
noun
adjective
noun
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.
Synonym Usage
See kingly.
Other Word Forms
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.
Vocabulary lists containing regal
An "August" Assortment: Words Worthy of Honor
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Bridge to Terabithia
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The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Life begins as a fanfare — a regal entry heralded by brass — and ends as a solo cello lament and the serene acceptance of death as sung by a choir.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026
Likewise, Lupita Nyong’o’s Helen is regal and formidable, but it’s a mistake to double-cast her as Helen’s twin sister, Clytemnestra.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 15, 2026
Salah sat on a throne inside Anfield last year - the club's 'Egyptian king' had committed to extending his reign and marked the occasion in regal style.
From BBC ● May 23, 2026
Beneath her veneer of regal dignity Ms. Faridany reveals the character’s icy heart.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 1, 2026
A musical instrument called a regal stood on the table between them.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
