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Definition of princely

princely

/ˈprɪns.li/
prince · ly
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princely Lexical Profile

princely Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Very large, generous, or sumptuous, especially in reference to an amount of money or a gift.

Example

"The antique desk fetched a princely sum at the estate auction."

2

Relating to, characteristic of, or belonging to a prince or royal ruler.

Example

"Before unification, the region was divided into dozens of independent princely states."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

The phrase 'the princely sum of' is frequently used ironically to emphasize that an amount of money is actually very small or inadequate.

• Rhymes for princely

• Nearby Words

prince
princeliness
princeling
princely
princess
principal
principality

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in late Middle English from the noun 'prince' (from Old French, ultimately from Latin 'princeps' meaning 'first head' or 'chief') combined with the adjectival suffix '-ly'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Princely. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/princely
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