The Meaning of Regal: What It Is and How To Use It

Do you know the definition of regal? This article will provide you with all of the information you need on the word regal, including its definition, etymology, usage, example sentences, and more!

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What does the word regal mean?

According to Collins English Dictionary and the American Heritage Dictionary of the English language, the word regal is an adjective that describes someone or something that is related to or befitting someone who is royal, or something that is related to royalty. Regal is two syllables – re-gal – and the pronunciation or regal is ˈriːɡəl.  The word regal can also be used as a noun to refer to a 15th century small portable organ equipped only with small reed pipes where the bellows are played with one hand. This was also used in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Try using this word today!

Many different languages contain translations for the word regal. You may notice that some of the translations in the below list look and  sound a lot like the word regal. These are called cognates, which are words and phrases that have a similar look, sound, and meaning across languages. These are often formed when two words have the same root or language of origin. This list of translations of the word regal is provided by Word Sense.

  •  Czech: extrapolovat‎
  •  Tagalog: iduklay‎
  •  Hungarian: extrapolál‎
  •  German: extrapolieren‎
  •  Romanian: extrapola‎
  •  French: extrapoler‎
  •  Finnish: yleistää‎
  •  Swedish: extrapolera‎
  •  Spanish: extrapolar‎
  •  Danish: ekstrapolere‎
  •  Italian: estrapolare‎
  •  Russian: экстраполи́ровать‎ (impf) (pf)
  •  Catalan: extrapolar‎
  •  Serbo-Croatian: ekstrapolírati‎
  •  Irish: eachtarshuigh‎ 

What is the origin of the word regal?

According to Etymonline, the word regal has been used since late 14c Middle English. This word comes from the 12c Old French regal and the Latin rēgālis/Latin regalis. These come from the Latin rex/rēx king as well as the roots reg and regere, from rē and the genitive regis in Indo-European roots.

How can the word regal be used in a sentence?

There are many different ways that the word regal can be used in a sentence in the English language. Using words in a sentence is a great way to memorize their definitions. You can also try making flashcards or a quiz to test your knowledge of the definitions of different English language words. Try using this new word of the day in a sentence today! Below are several examples of the word regal to help get you started.

The emperor was the supreme ruler to the traditionalists. He held the regal power to the court and would be the monarch until his death.

Half of the draw of the regal authority of the queen was her individual generosity. 

Actress  Madge Sinclair gave regal performances in many of her roles in the entertainment industry. Her great name is associated with the title role in a film about English literature.

The French teacher replaces her basic wool throw blanket with a pretty throw of cashmere. It brought a regal presence to the aesthetics of the glorious woman.

The whole country of France and the visiting countries Spain and Portugal where the former champions were from went along with the regal manner of pomp and circumstance, with each chin held in a stick-straight line. 

It was the height of irony watching the trembling Chihuahua, a little bigger than a loaf of bread who used a cat-box, next to his mummy, a woman with the regality of the royal carriage of a stag.

The Empress claimed her royal acclaim and regal title in the golden age of imperial splendor, but quickly turned into a purple tyrant.

The artist painted Zeus and Julius Caesar in a regal, traditional style of portrait worthy of a king.

What are synonyms and antonyms of regal?

There are many different words that a person can use in place of the word regal. These are called synonyms. Learning synonyms is a great way to expand your English language vocabulary and avoid repeating yourself in spoken or written English. This list of synonyms of regal is provided by Power Thesaurus.

  •  kinglike
  •  monarchial
  •  plush
  •  monumental
  •  imposing
  •  monarchal
  •  posh
  •  impressive
  •  lordly
  •  monarchical
  •  majestic
  •  exalted
  •  monarchic
  •  grand
  •  queenlike
  •  resplendent
  •  great
  •  stately
  •  pompous
  •  sumptuous
  •  glorious
  •  superb
  •  proud
  •  aristocratic
  •  statuesque
  •  purple
  •  noble
  •  princely
  •  fine
  •  derisive
  •  principal
  •  prominent
  •  dynastic
  •  chief
  •  good
  •  splendiferous
  •  costly
  •  majestical
  •  ritzy
  •  swank
  •  predominant
  •  grandiose
  •  eminent
  •  magisterial
  •  contemptuous
  •  excellent
  •  honored
  •  famous
  •  awesome
  •  elevated
  •  preeminent
  •  state
  •  contumelious
  •  formal
  •  renowned
  •  queen
  •  superior
  •  gorgeous
  •  dominant
  •  supreme
  •  striking
  •  blue-blooded
  •  high-born
  •  rich
  •  luxe
  •  esteemed
  •  ceremonious
  •  scornful
  •  sedate
  •  disdainful
  •  patrician
  •  notable
  •  venerable
  •  heroic
  •  celebrated
  •  magnolious
  •  grave
  •  capital
  •  splendid
  •  sublime
  •  august
  •  dignified
  •  courtly
  •  baronial
  •  queenly
  •  lofty
  •  distinguished
  •  imperial
  •  royal
  •  palatial
  •  opulent
  •  illustrious
  •  lavish
  •  magnificent
  •  kingly
  •  magnific
  •  elegant
  •  solemn
  •  sovereign
  •  luxurious

There are also numerous different words that mean the opposite of the word regal. These opposite words are known as antonyms. Learning antonyms is another great way to expand your English language vocabulary in a quick and easy way. This list of antonyms of the word regal is also provided by Power Thesaurus

  •  homely
  •  docile
  •  indefinable
  •  average
  •  vulgar
  •  vile
  •  meek
  •  base
  •  frugal
  •  shabby
  •  ignoble
  •  ordinary
  •  insignificant
  •  lowly
  •  indigent
  •  sordid
  •  petty
  •  miserable
  •  depleted
  •  beggarly
  •  wild
  •  elementary
  •  parched
  •  lousy
  •  trivial
  •  inglorious
  •  common
  •  narrow
  •  petite
  •  meretricious
  •  unimpressive
  •  mean
  •  depressed
  •  forlorn
  •  middling
  •  mediocre
  •  trifling
  •  scummy
  •  slavish
  •  wretched
  •  unheroic
  •  woeful
  •  unceremonious
  •  unprepossessing
  •  ragged
  •  stingy
  •  poor
  •  wonted
  •  pitiable
  •  puny
  •  servile
  •  small
  •  second-rate
  •  unimposing
  •  pitiful
  •  rude
  •  simple
  •  run-of-the-mill
  •  concave
  •  dismal
  •  meager
  •  destitute
  •  modest
  •  lowborn
  •  feeble
  •  deprived
  •  little
  •  mild
  •  measly
  •  lacking
  •  low
  •  penurious

Overall, the word regal means worthy of or befitting of a king, queen, or other member of a royal family. This word can also refer to a type of portable reed organ.

Sources:

  1. Regal definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary 
  2. Regal antonyms – 72 Opposites of Regal | Power Thesaurus 
  3. Regal synonyms – 404 Words and Phrases for Regal | Power Thesaurus 
  4. regal | Origin and meaning of regal | Online Etymology Dictionary