kingly
kingly Lexical Profile
kingly Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Relating to, characteristic of, or belonging to a king.
"The ancient crown and scepter were symbols of his kingly authority."
Befitting a king in dignity, splendor, or generosity; majestic and noble.
"The guests were treated to a kingly banquet in the grand hall."
• adverb
In a manner befitting a king; royally or majestically (archaic or literary).
"He bore himself kingly before the assembled court despite his defeat."
Word Nuance & Usage
Although ending in '-ly', 'kingly' is overwhelmingly used as an adjective rather than an adverb. While 'royal' refers broadly to the institution or office of a monarch, 'kingly' emphasizes the personal dignity, majesty, or bearing appropriate to a king.
• Rhymes for kingly
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Old English 'cyninglic', combining 'cyning' (king) with the adjectival suffix '-lic' (having the body or form of).