imperial

¹im·pe·ri·al

adj \im-ˈpir-ē-əl\

Definition of IMPERIAL

1

a : of, relating to, befitting, or suggestive of an empire or an emperor b (1) : of or relating to the United Kingdom as distinguished from the constituent parts (2) : of or relating to the Commonwealth of Nations and British Empire

2

a : sovereign b : regal, imperious

3

: of superior or unusual size or excellence

4

: belonging to the official British series of weights and measures — see weight table

— im·pe·ri·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb

Examples of IMPERIAL

1. a member of the imperial family
2. <envisioned an imperial city that would rival the capitals of Europe for beauty and magnificence>

Origin of IMPERIAL

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin imperialis, from Latin imperium command, empire

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to IMPERIAL

Synonyms: august, baronial, epic, gallant, glorious, grandiose, heroic (also heroical), Homeric, grand, imposing, magnific, magnificent, majestic, massive, monumental, noble, proud, regal, royal, splendid, stately

Antonyms: humble, unheroic, unimposing, unimpressive

Related Words: colossal, monstrous, prodigious, stupendous, tremendous; kingly, lordly, princely, queenly; awesome, awful, cosmic (also cosmical), sublime, wondrous; formidable, impressive, prepossessing, redoubtable; apocalyptic (also apocalyptical), inflated, operatic, overblown, pompous; marvelous (or marvellous), superb, terrific, wonderful; extravagant, lavish, luxurious, opulent, palatial, palatine, sumptuous; gorgeous, resplendent, splendiferous; extraordinary, killer, remarkable, sensational, striking; celestial, divine, heavenly

Near Antonyms: lowly, modest, unprepossessing; average, common, mediocre, ordinary, run-of-the-mill, second-rate; abject, mean, meretricious, shabby, sordid; insignificant, measly, paltry, petty, puny, trifling, trivial

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Other Government and Politics Terms

agent provocateur, agitprop, autarky, cabal, egalitarianism, federalism, hegemony, plenipotentiary, popular sovereignty, socialism

Rhymes with IMPERIAL

arterial, bacterial, diphtherial, empyreal, ethereal, funereal, material, sidereal, venereal, vizierial