royal we
The "royal we" is a linguistic phenomenon where a single person, often a monarch, uses 'we' instead of 'I' to emphasize their role as a representative of a larger entity.
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Definition
C2Editorial
(humorous, stylistic)The use of 'we' by authors or editors to speak on behalf of a publication or collective viewpoint.
Example
- In the editorial, the writer often uses the royal we to express the newspaper's stance.
C1Monarchy
(formal, traditional)The use of the first-person plural pronoun by a monarch to emphasize their role as a representative of the state or institution.
Example
- Queen Victoria's statement, 'We are not amused,' is a classic example of the royal we.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "royal we":