# royalty

/ˈɹɔɪəɫti/ (US) · /ɹˈɔɪəlti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/royalty
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. royal people

noun · CEFR B1

members of a royal family, such as kings, queens, princes, and princesses.

For teachers: individuals of royal rank or lineage, collectively considered as a social group.

- The local crowds gathered at the palace gates to catch a glimpse of royalty.
- The wedding was attended by European royalty and various heads of state, making it the most significant diplomatic event of the decade.

### 2. payment for creative work

noun · CEFR B2

money paid to an author, musician, or inventor for every copy of their work sold.

For teachers: a payment made to a creator or owner for the ongoing use of their intellectual property, typically calculated as a percentage of sales.

- The singer still earns a lot of money in royalties every time her song is played on the radio.
- The contract stipulates that the author will receive a ten percent royalty on all hardcover sales, increasing to fifteen percent after the first five thousand copies.

Usage: usually used in the plural form 'royalties' when referring to the money received.

### 3. payment for natural resources

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

money paid to a landowner for the right to take oil, gas, or minerals from their land.

For teachers: a payment made by a mining or oil company to the owner of the land or mineral rights for the extraction of natural resources.

- The government receives a royalty for every barrel of oil extracted from the sea floor.
- Negotiations stalled over the specific royalty rates for the new lithium mine, with the local community demanding a larger share of the profits.

### 4. status of a monarch

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the power, rank, or position of being a king or queen.

For teachers: the state, rank, or dignity of a monarch; the abstract quality of being royal.

- The crown is a symbol of the royalty and history of the nation.
- In his speech, the historian explored how the concept of royalty has evolved from absolute power to a largely ceremonial role.

### 5. poker hand

noun · CEFR C2 · Slang · Informal

a starting hand in a card game that consists of a king and a queen.

For teachers: a specific starting hand in Texas hold 'em poker consisting of a king and a queen of any suit.

- He decided to play the hand because he was dealt royalty.
- While royalty looks impressive in the hole, many professional players treat a king and queen with caution against a tight opponent.

## Examples

- The local people gathered to see the visiting royalty.
- The author receives a small royalty for every copy of the book sold in bookstores.
- While the nation maintains a deep respect for its traditional royalty, modern political discourse often focuses on the economic impact of the royal family's public duties.

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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.