riyal

[ ree-yawl, -yahl ]

noun

1. a bronze coin and monetary unit of Qatar, equal to 100 dirhams.
2. a silver coin and monetary unit of Saudi Arabia, equal to 100 halala or 20 qurush.
3. (formerly) a coin and monetary unit of the Yemen Arab Republic, equal to 100 fils or 40 buqshas.

riyal

/ rɪˈjɑːl /

noun

1. the standard monetary unit of Qatar, divided into 100 dirhams; Saudi Arabia, divided into 100 halala; and Yemen, divided into 100 fils

Word History and Origins

Origin of riyal¹

1935–40; < Arabic riyāl < Spanish real real ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of riyal¹

from Arabic riyāl , from Spanish real real ²

Example Sentences

So far this year alone, the riyal has dropped from about 18,000 to the dollar to 24,000 to the dollar.

From The Daily Beast