• IPA: /ˈɹɔɪəl/

royal

1. Of or relating to a monarch or their family.
   • 1909, Archibald Marshall [pseudonym; Arthur Hammond Marshall], chapter I, in The Squire’s Daughter, London: Methuen, OCLC 12026604 ↗; republished New York, N.Y.: Dodd, Mead and Company, 1919, OCLC 491297620 ↗:

     He tried to persuade Cicely to stay away from the ball-room for a fourth dance. […] But she said she must go back, and when they joined the crowd again her partner was haled off with a frightened look to the royal circle, […]

   • 2011, Marilyn Price, Grandma's Cookies (page 7)

     On the first Friday morning of his kingship he went into the kitchen and called for his royal chef.

2. Having the air or demeanour of a monarch; illustrious; magnanimous; of more than common size or excellence.
   • c. 1596–1598, William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act III, scene ii]:

     How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?

3. (nautical) In large sailing ships, of a mast right above the topgallant mast and its sails.

   royal mast;  royal sail

4. (boxing, military) Free-for-all, especially involving multiple combatants.
5. (informal) Used as an intensifier.

   a royal pain in the neck

• (of a monarch) kingly (of a king), monarchical, princely (of a prince), queenly (of a queen), regal
• (having a monarch's air) majestic, stately, regal
• (informal intensifier) major

• real
• realm

• French: royal, royale
• German: königlich
• Italian: reale, regale
• Portuguese: real
• Russian: короле́вский
• Spanish: real

royal (plural royals)

1. A royal person; a member of a royal family.
2. (paper, printing) A standard size of printing paper, measuring 25 by 20 inches.
3. (paper) A standard size of writing paper, measuring 24 by 19 inches.
4. (dated) The Australian decimal currency intended to replace the pound in 1966; was changed to "dollar" before it was actually circulated.
5. Any of various lycaenid butterflies.
6. The fourth tine of an antler's beam.
7. A stag with twelve points (six on each antler).
8. (nautical, sailing) In large sailing ships, square sail over the topgallant sail.
9. An old English gold coin, the rial.
10. (military) A small mortar.
11. (card games) In auction bridge, a royal spade.
12. A tuft of beard on the lower lip.

    Synonyms: imperial

13. (campanology) Bell changes rung on ten bells.

• German: Royal

• French: cacatois
• German: Royalsegel
• Portuguese: real
• Russian: бом-бра́мсель
• Spanish: real

1. Surname
2. A male given name from the surname, or from the word "royal".
   • 1974 Patrick White, Five-Twenty, Shorter Novels and Stories, Cape 1974, ISBN 0224009923, page 173

     Royal - he had been his mother's little king. Most of his mates called him "Roy". Perhaps only her and Mrs Natwick had stuck to the christened name, they felt it suited.

royal (plural royals)

1. (soccer) someone connected with Reading Football Club, as a fan, player, coach etc.
2. (UK, historical) A member of the first regiment of foot in the British army.

1. Alternative form of royal qual in capitalised proper nouns, e.g. Royal Navy, Royal Mail