I. roy ‧ al 1 S3 W1 /ˈrɔɪəl/ BrE AmE adjective [only before noun]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ royal , ↑ royalist , ↑ royalty ; adjective : ↑ royal , ↑ royalist ; adverb : ↑ royally ]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: roial , from Latin regalis ; ⇨ ↑ regal ]
1 . relating to or belonging to a king or queen ⇨ regal :
the royal palace
the royal family
2 . used in the names of organizations that serve or are supported by a king or queen:
the Royal Navy
the Royal College of Music
3 . very impressive, as if done for a king or queen:
a royal welcome
4 . the royal 'we' British English the use of the word ‘we’ instead of ‘I’ by the Queen or King
—royally adverb
II. royal 2 BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Word Family: noun : ↑ royal , ↑ royalist , ↑ royalty ; adjective : ↑ royal , ↑ royalist ; adverb : ↑ royally ]
informal a member of a royal family OPP commoner