# princely

/ˈpɹɪnsɫi/ (US) · /pɹˈɪnsli/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/princely
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

having a lot of money or power, like a king or a prince. You use this to describe someone who is very rich or someone who acts like a leader.

For teachers: possessing great wealth, power, or status; behaving in a manner befitting a monarch. Often used to describe a generous or high-handed attitude.

## Examples

- He lived a princely life with many servants.
- The king treated his guests with princely generosity, offering them gifts and a royal feast.
- Despite his modest origins, he adopted a princely demeanor, treating everyone in his household with a level of formality that suggested a much higher social rank.

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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.