regal

¹

[ree-guhl]

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

[ree-guhl]

noun

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

regal

¹

/ ˈriːɡəl /

adjective

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

regal

²

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• regally adverb
• regalness noun

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of regal¹

C14: from Latin rēgālis from rēx king

Origin of regal²

C16: from French régale ; of obscure origin

Synonym Study

See kingly.

Example Sentences

However, that choice underscores the regal reputation of the meat, along with bolstering theories as to why Americans don’t eat it more often.

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That day, in her parents’ closet, Robinson turned lemons into hard lemonade, and with a visor high on her head like a regal crown, a new version of herself emerged — an entitled one.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

BFM reported that the stolen pieces were believed to include jewels belonging to Napoleon III, and that a second cabinet containing other regal treasures may also have been targeted.

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Mule deer — with their white hindquarters and regal antlers — were first brought to the island in 1928 as game animals, according to Barton.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

This enterprise also carries on up another set of staircases but in a very different, almost regal atmosphere.

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When To Use

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.