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

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regal ² American  

[ree-guhl] / ˈri gəl /

noun

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

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regal ¹ British  

/ ˈriːɡəl /

adjective

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

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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

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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

U.K. officials fret, though, that the half-life of the regal glow is diminishing fast.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

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

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Performing as the Kangol Crew, Rick played up his English heritage - wearing regal capes and ostentatious jewellery, while referring to himself as Rick the Ruler or Richard of Nottingham.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Neoclassical busts are cast in sand, marble and bronze and carved through with winding stairs, arched doors and regal columns.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

She was dressed in bright red from the top of her elaborate turban to the tips of her polished fingernails, and an air of regal self-assurance seemed to travel with her.

From "Forged by Fire" by Sharon M. Draper