King·ly a. [Compar. Kinglier superl. Kingliest.] Belonging to, suitable to, or becoming, a king; characteristic of, or resembling, a king; directed or administered by a king; monarchical; royal; sovereign; regal; august; noble; grand. “Kingly magnificence.” --Sir P. Sidney. “A kingly government.” --Swift. “The kingly couch.”
    The kingliest kings are crowned with thorn.   --G. Massey.
    Leave kingly backs to cope with kingly cares.   --Cowper.
 Syn: -- Regal; royal; monarchical; imperial; august; sovereign; noble; splendid.
 Usage: -- Kingly, Regal. Kingly is Anglo-Saxon, and refers especially to the character of a king; regal is Latin, and now relates more to his office. The former is chiefly used of dispositions, feelings, and purposes which are kinglike; as, kingly sentiments; kingly condescension; “ a kingly heart for enterprises.” --Sir P. Sidney. The latter is oftener applied to external state, pomp, etc.; as, regal state, regal title, etc. This distinction is not observed by our early writers, but is gaining ground.