imperially

IPA/ɪmˈpɪə.ri.ə.li/
IPA/ɪmˈpɪr.i.ə.li/

imperially — adverb

1. In a manner that reflects the authority, scale, or style associated with an empi

1.adverbC1
Definition

In a manner that reflects the authority, scale, or style associated with an empire or an emperor.

Example

Pim stood imperially on the balcony, surveying the crowd below with a steady gaze.

verb + imperially for authoritative stance

The old stone statue gazed imperially across the valley, guarding the city gates.

Common collocations
  • stood imperially
  • sat imperially
  • gazed imperially
  • waved imperially
  • ascended imperially
Synonyms
  • majestically

    Suggests grand dignity or beauty, not necessarily political empire

  • regally

    Focuses on the style of a king or queen rather than an empire

  • authoritatively

    Emphasises the commanding aspect without the imperial imagery

  • haughtily

    Has a negative tone of arrogance, unlike the neutral or admiring 'imperially'

Grammar Patterns

imperially + verb

verb + imperially

Usage Note

This adverb is almost always used with verbs of posture, gesture, or stance (stood, waved, gazed, sat) to describe a commanding or dignified manner. Note: The adjective form imperial has related meanings — see the entry at imperial.

Common Mistakes

The emperor imperially ruled.
The emperor ruled imperially.
'imperially' should follow the verb it modifies, not come before it as a rule.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words describe a manner that commands attention or respect, but they differ in connotation and scope. 'Majestically' emphasises grand beauty or dignity — a cathedral can stand majestically, but only a person behaving like a ruler can act imperially. 'Regally' is closer to 'imperially' because both evoke royalty, but 'regally' suggests a king or queen, while 'imperially' suggests an empire — a broader, more impersonal power. 'Authoritatively' strips away the monarchy imagery entirely and just means 'in a way that commands obedience', making it more neutral and widely applicable. 'Haughtily' shares the proud bearing but carries a distinctly negative tone of looking down on others, whereas 'imperially' can be neutral or even admiring. For example: 'The queen walked regally down the aisle' (dignified, admired) vs. 'The general spoke haughtily to the recruits' (dismissive, disliked). 'Imperially' sits somewhere between these: the ambassador greeted the crowd imperially — with confidence and poise, but not necessarily arrogance.

majestically ↗regallyauthoritatively ↗haughtily ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • imperial power
  • imperial rule
  • imperial ambition
  • imperial system
  • imperial scale

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

'Imperially' is formed from 'imperial' (from Latin 'imperialis', meaning 'of the empire') plus the adverb suffix '-ly'. The Latin root 'imperium' means 'command, supreme power, or dominion'. The word entered English in the late 16th century as the adverbial form of 'imperial', which described anything related to the Holy Roman Empire and later to European overseas empires.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a