Regal vs. Royal: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Regal pertains to the characteristics of a monarch, often implying grandeur and dignity, while Royal directly relates to a reigning monarch or royal family.
Key Differences
Regal describes qualities or things befitting a monarch, like dignity or splendor. Royal specifically refers to matters associated with a monarch or royal family.
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Dec 04, 2023
Regal is often used to describe someone's demeanor or objects that resemble royal elegance. Royal is used when directly relating to the monarchy, like royal decrees or royal blood.
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The term regal can be applied more broadly to anything exhibiting grandeur or majesty, even beyond royal contexts. Royal, however, is specifically tied to the realm of a monarchy and its members.
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Regal carries a connotation of grandness and majesty and can be used metaphorically. Royal connotes official status, lineage, or connection to the royal family.
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Regal symbolizes the qualities idealized in a monarch, such as grace and authority. Royal represents the actual institution of monarchy, its traditions, and lineage.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Pertaining to the characteristics of a monarch
Relating to a reigning monarch or royal family
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Usage
Describes qualities or things befitting royalty
Refers to things directly associated with monarchy
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Scope
Can be applied broadly to majestic qualities
Specifically tied to monarchy and its members
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Connotations
Grandeur, majesty, elegance
Official status, lineage, royal heritage
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Application in Context
Often metaphorical or descriptive
Literal and specific to royal persons or matters
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Regal and Royal Definitions
Regal
Regal implies a sense of splendor and nobleness in appearance or character.
He had a regal posture that commanded respect.
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Royal
Royal is used to describe something established or chartered by a monarch.
The Royal Academy of Arts is renowned for its heritage.
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Regal
Regal can describe someone or something that exudes royal-like grandeur.
The regal architecture of the building was reminiscent of a palace.
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Royal
Royal often signifies something patronized or funded by the crown.
The royal grant supported the scientific research project.
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Regal
Regal means resembling, or fit for a monarch, especially in being magnificent or dignified.
Her regal bearing at the ceremony captivated everyone's attention.
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Regal
Regal can refer to things befitting a royal setting or treatment.
The regal decor of the room made it look like a royal chamber.
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Royal
Founded, chartered, or authorized by a monarch
A royal society of musicians.
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Royal
Used as an intensive
"It would be a first-class royal mess" (Sam Nunn).
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Regal
(musical instruments) A small, portable organ whose sound is produced by beating reeds without amplifying resonators. Its tone is keen and rich in harmonics. The regal was common in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries; today it has been revived for the performance of music from those times.
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Royal
(Informal) A member of a monarch's family
"Among the resort's distinguished visitors are Swedish and Spanish royals" (Alistair Scott).
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Regal
An organ stop of the reed family, furnished with a normal beating reed, but whose resonator is a fraction of its natural length. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries these stops took a multitude of forms. Today only one survives that is of universal currency, the so-called Vox Humana.
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Regal
Of or pertaining to a king; kingly; royal; as, regal authority, pomp, or sway.
He made a scorn of his regal oath.
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Royal
A paper size, 20 by 25 inches for printing, 19 by 24 inches for writing.
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Regal
A small portable organ, played with one hand, the bellows being worked with the other, - used in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.
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Regal
Belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler;
Golden age of imperial splendor
Purple tyrant
Regal attire
Treated with royal acclaim
The royal carriage of a stag's head
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Royal
Having the air or demeanour of a monarch; illustrious; magnanimous; of more than common size or excellence.
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Regal
Regal is used to describe impressive and splendid qualities or acts.
The ballet dancer's regal performance earned a standing ovation.
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Royal
(nautical) In large sailing ships, of a mast right above the topgallant mast and its sails.
Royal mast;
Royal sail
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Royal
(dated) The Australian decimal currency intended to replace the pound in 1966; was changed to "dollar" before it was actually circulated.
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Royal
Kingly; pertaining to the crown or the sovereign; suitable for a king or queen; regal; as, royal power or prerogative; royal domains; the royal family; royal state.
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Royal
Noble; generous; magnificent; princely.
How doth that royal merchant, good Antonio?
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Royal
Under the patronage of royality; holding a charter granted by the sovereign; as, the Royal Academy of Arts; the Royal Society.
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Royal
One of the upper or distal branches of an antler, as the third and fourth tynes of the antlers of a stag.
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Royal
One of the soldiers of the first regiment of foot of the British army, formerly called the Royals, and supposed to be the oldest regular corps in Europe; - now called the Royal Scots.
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Royal
Of or relating to or indicative of or issued or performed by a king or queen or other monarch;
The royal party
The royal crest
By royal decree
A royal visit
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Royal
Being of the rank of a monarch;
Of royal ancestry
Princes of the blood royal
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Royal
Belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler;
Golden age of imperial splendor
Purple tyrant
Regal attire
Treated with royal acclaim
The royal carriage of a stag's head
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Oct 19, 2023
Royal
Invested with royal power as symbolized by a crown;
The royal (or crowned) heads of Europe
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Royal
Royal pertains to or is connected with a monarch or the monarchy.
The royal family attended the state function.
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Royal
Royal refers to things descended from or related to a king or queen.
He is an expert in royal history and lineage.
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Royal
Royal can denote having the status or characteristics of royalty.
The royal decree was issued by the queen herself.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What does regal mean?
Regal means resembling or suitable for a monarch, often implying dignity and splendor.
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Dec 04, 2023
Does royal always refer to actual royalty?
Yes, royal typically refers to things directly associated with a monarchy or royal family.
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Is regal used in an official capacity?
Regal is more often used descriptively and metaphorically, not in an official capacity.
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What is the definition of royal?
Royal pertains to or is related to a monarch or royal family.
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What makes something regal in appearance?
Grandeur, elegance, and a dignified aura contribute to a regal appearance.
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Can a non-royal person be described as regal?
Yes, someone can be described as regal based on their dignified or majestic demeanor.
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How are royal families established?
Royal families are typically established through historical hereditary lines of monarchs.
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Are royal titles hereditary?
Yes, royal titles are often passed down through hereditary lines in a monarchy.
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What is a royal decree?
A royal decree is an official order issued by a member of the royal family.
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Do regal qualities relate to leadership?
Yes, regal qualities like dignity and authority are often associated with good leadership.
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Can objects be described as royal?
Yes, objects can be royal if they are associated with or belong to the monarchy.
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What responsibilities do royal family members have?
Responsibilities vary but can include state functions, charity work, and upholding traditions.
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Is regal attire specific to royal individuals?
No, regal attire refers to clothing that is splendid and elegant, not necessarily worn by royalty alone.
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How do royal titles differ across cultures?
Royal titles vary greatly across cultures, reflecting different historical and cultural contexts.
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Can regal be used to describe a setting?
Yes, settings that are particularly splendid or dignified can be described as regal.
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Is regal behavior expected in royal settings?
Yes, in royal settings, dignified and splendid behavior, or regal behavior, is often expected.
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Dec 04, 2023
Can regal be synonymous with luxurious?
While similar, regal implies more of a dignified elegance than just luxury.
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Are royal families still politically powerful?
This varies by country; in some, royal families hold significant political power, while in others, their role is more ceremonial.
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Can the term regal apply to animals?
Yes, animals can be described as regal if they exhibit majestic and dignified characteristics.
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Can a commoner be involved in royal affairs?
Yes, commoners can be involved in royal affairs, especially in official or advisory capacities.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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