What does royalty mean?
Royalty has two especially common meanings. First, it refers to members of a royal family, such as a king, queen, prince, or princess, usually as a group. In this sense, the word is closely connected with monarchy, inheritance, and the public duties or privileges of a sovereign family. Second, royalty means a payment made to someone who owns rights in a creative work, such as a book, song, photograph, or invention. These payments compensate the rights holder for allowing others to use, reproduce, or commercially exploit the work. The word can also describe noble or regal character. Royalty is therefore a useful example of how one word can connect people and power in one meaning and money and intellectual property in another. In publishing and the entertainment industry, “earn royalties” is a common expression, while “the royal family” refers to the institution and its members.
Members of a royal family collectively, especially a monarch and close relatives; also, in a less common sense, the quality of being royal or noble.
"The ceremony brought together representatives of royalty from across Europe."
This sense is usually collective and is commonly used in the expression “the royal family.”
A payment made to the holder of rights in a creative work for its publication, reproduction, performance, or sale.
"The songwriter earns royalties whenever the song is streamed or performed."
This sense is standard in publishing, music, film, television, and related creative industries.
The plural is standard in the financial sense, as in “the author earned royalties.” In the family sense, “royalties” may refer to several members of a royal family, but “royal family” is usually more natural.
"The book has earned millions in royalties."
The word that names a king’s family also describes the money an artist receives when their work is published, streamed, or performed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does royalty come from?
The word comes through Old French roialté, meaning royal status or dignity, from Latin regalitas, a form related to regalis, “kingly” or “royal.” The underlying root reg- means “king” or “rule,” and is also reflected in words such as regal, regale, and regalia. The modern financial sense developed later from the idea of payments made to those holding rights, especially authors and other creators.
Related word forms
How royalty is actually used
In the family sense, the word is normally used collectively and is often associated with monarchy and inherited status. In the financial sense, it is standard in publishing, music, film, and other creative industries.