ducal

adjective

du·​cal ˈdü-kəl 

 also  ˈdyü-

: of or relating to a duke or dukedom

ducally

ˈd(y)ü-kə-lē 

adverb

Examples of ducal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Guillaume, his father Henri and Prime Minister Luc Frieden are expected to sign a grand ducal decree appointing the prince as Lieutenant-Representative of the Grand Duke. —Janine Henni, People.com, 7 Oct. 2024

When Carl and Stéphanie subsequently failed to produce a male heir, one of Countess Hochberg’s sons ascended the grand ducal throne. —Mindy Weisberger, CNN, 21 Sep. 2024

The museum now holds three of the five Rubens sketches; the two others sold by the ducal family are still missing, though officials are trying to facilitate their return. —Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 June 2024

My favorite moment in Dune: Part Two is when Chani (Zendaya) and Gurney (Josh Brolin) are both concerned about Paul (Timothée Chalamet) during his sermon, and then as soon as Paul pulls out his father’s ducal signet ring, Gurney instantly drinks the Kool-Aid. —Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 14 May 2024

The character begins as ducal heir on the planet Caladan, training under his father (played by Oscar Isaac), mother (Rebecca Ferguson), mentor (Josh Brolin), swordmaster (Jason Momoa) and teacher (Stephen McKinley Henderson). —Jack Smart, Peoplemag, 3 Mar. 2024

This fall, Barry Gibb, 77, sat in his ducal South Florida home sipping microwaved sake from a souvenir coffee mug. —Karen Heller, Washington Post, 27 Nov. 2023

The glove is adorned with an array of national emblems such as the Tudor Rose, thistle, shamrock, oak leaves, and acorns, as well as a ducal coronet and the Dukes of Newcastle’s coat of arms. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 2 May 2023

Jordan paints a vibrant picture of Shropshire, a village with so much more to offer beyond the ducal seat at its edges — and in the process, makes a firm argument for more historical romances that dare to live outside the ballroom or even the aristocracy altogether. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 30 July 2021

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin ducalis of a leader, from Latin duc-, dux leader — more at duke

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ducal

• buccal
• nuchal

Kids Definition

ducal

adjective

du·​cal ˈd(y)ü-kəl 

: of or relating to a duke or duchy