Your Majesty: A Title That Means Greatness
Majesty is impressive dignity, and the form of address for a monarch. The Latin root simply means greater.
Majesty is grandeur that commands respect: the majesty of a mountain range, the majesty of the law. As a title it is addressed only to kings and queens — *Your Majesty* on first speaking, *Ma'am* or *Sir* afterwards in British practice. The Latin *maiestas* means greatness, from *maior*, greater.
- Impressive dignity or grandeur. *The majesty of the cathedral.*
- A title for a monarch. *Her Majesty the Queen.*
- Sovereign power. *An offence against the majesty of the state.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | majesty | Quiet majesty. |
| Plural | majesties | Their Majesties. |
| Adjective | majestic | A majestic view. |
| Adverb | majestically | Moving majestically. |
| Related | major | A major road. |
How it is used in a sentence
- The majesty of the falls silenced everyone.Natural grandeur.
- Their Majesties attended the service.Plural for two monarchs.
- His Majesty's Government issued a statement.British official style.
Forms of address
- Your Majesty — a king or queen
- Your Royal Highness — a prince or princess
- Your Excellency — an ambassador or governor
- Your Honour — a judge in many courts
- Your Grace — a duke, duchess or archbishop
From Old French *majeste*, from Latin *maiestas*, greatness, from *maior*, greater — the comparative of *magnus*, great. The same root gives *major*, *mayor* and *magnify*.
Is majesty used for anyone but monarchs?
As a title, no. As a description of grandeur it applies to landscapes, music, buildings and ideas.
What does HM stand for?
His or Her Majesty, as in HM Government, HM Revenue and Customs, and HMS for His or Her Majesty's Ship.