# imperial

/ˌɪmˈpɪɹiəɫ/ (US) · /ɪmpˈiəɹɪəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/imperial
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. related to an empire

adjective · CEFR B2

relating to an empire, an emperor, or an empress.

For teachers: pertaining to an empire or the person who rules it.

- The city is famous for its grand imperial palaces and beautiful gardens.
- Historians often debate the long-term economic consequences of imperial expansion during the nineteenth century.

### 2. measurement system

adjective · CEFR B2 · British English

relating to the system of measurement that uses inches, feet, and pounds.

For teachers: relating to the British imperial system of weights and measures, as opposed to the metric system.

- The recipe uses imperial measurements like ounces instead of grams.
- Although the UK officially adopted the metric system, many citizens still prefer imperial units for height and weight.

### 3. grand or majestic

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

very grand, impressive, or of high quality.

For teachers: possessing a majestic or magnificent character; of superior size or excellence.

- The hotel lobby was decorated in an imperial style with gold and marble.
- The conductor led the orchestra with an imperial grace that commanded the absolute attention of every musician in the hall.

### 4. a style of beard

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a small pointed beard grown only on the lower lip.

For teachers: a small tuft of hair grown on the lower lip, popularized by Napoleon III.

- The gentleman in the old photograph wore a neatly trimmed imperial.
- The portrait depicts the count with a distinctive imperial, a fashion choice that signaled his loyalty to the emperor's court.

### 5. large wine bottle

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a very large bottle of wine that holds about six liters.

For teachers: a large Bordeaux wine bottle with a capacity of approximately six liters, equivalent to eight standard bottles.

- They opened an imperial of red wine to celebrate the wedding.
- The auction house featured a rare imperial of 1982 vintage, attracting significant interest from serious collectors.

### 6. paper size

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a specific large size of paper used for printing or writing.

For teachers: a standard size of writing paper (30 x 22 inches) or printing paper (32 x 22 inches).

- The artist requested a sheet of imperial paper for the large charcoal drawing.
- The technical specifications for the map required it to be printed on imperial stock to ensure all details remained legible.

## Examples

- The city is famous for its grand imperial architecture.
- Historians often study the imperial expansion of the nineteenth century to understand modern global trade routes.
- The museum houses a vast collection of imperial treasures, ranging from delicate silk robes to heavy gold coins minted during the height of the dynasty.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.