imperial

/ɪmˈpɪriəl/

/ɪmˈpɪriəl/

Other forms: imperials

Imperial carries the implication of royalty, usually pertaining to an empire; the emperor or empress is referred to as "your imperial highness."

The word imperial has a lofty feel, and though it's often used of royalty, it is sometimes used to refer to anything extremely large or impressive. It was once the name of a large suitcase that was too big to fit inside a coach and so was tied on top. Think of something imperial as being something so upper-class that it's almost to the point of royalty — and sometimes almost to the point of being a joke.

Definitions of imperial

1. adjective

   relating to or associated with an empire
   “imperial colony”

   “the imperial gallon was standardized legally throughout the British Empire”
2. adjective

   befitting or belonging to an emperor or empress
   “imperial palace”
3. adjective

   belonging to or befitting a supreme ruler
   “golden age of imperial splendor”

   synonyms: majestic, purple, regal, royal

   noble

   of or belonging to or constituting the hereditary aristocracy especially as derived from feudal times
4. noun

   a small tufted beard worn by Emperor Napoleon III
   synonyms: imperial beard

   type of:

   beard, face fungus, whiskers

   the hair growing on the lower part of a man's face
5. adjective

   of or belonging to the British Imperial System of weights and measures
6. noun

   a piece of luggage carried on top of a coach
   type of:

   baggage, luggage

   cases used to carry belongings when traveling