mont-royal: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Geographical/Formal/Neutral
Quick answer
What does “mont-royal” mean?
A proper noun referring to a specific geographical location in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, most notably a large forested hill (mont) and the park and neighbourhood upon it.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A proper noun referring to a specific geographical location in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, most notably a large forested hill (mont) and the park and neighbourhood upon it.
Can refer to the neighbourhood (Le Plateau-Mont-Royal), the park (Parc du Mont-Royal), or the hill itself. It may also be used metonymically to refer to the municipal or administrative aspects of the area.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is specific to Canadian geography. Both BrE and AmE speakers would treat it as a foreign toponym. In Canadian English, it is a common, known reference.
Connotations
For those familiar, it connotes Montreal's iconic green space, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, and a vibrant residential area.
Frequency
High frequency in Canadian English, particularly in Quebec and Montreal contexts. Very low to zero frequency in other dialects without specific local relevance.
Grammar
How to Use “mont-royal” in a Sentence
located on Mont-Royalthe summit of Mont-Royala walk through Mont-RoyalVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mont-royal” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- The Mont-Royal parkland is protected.
- We enjoyed the Mont-Royal vista.
American English
- The Mont-Royal neighbourhood is very trendy.
- She owns a Mont-Royal apartment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Real estate listings: 'Luxury condos with a view of Mont-Royal.'
Academic
Urban geography: 'The development of the Mont-Royal park transformed the city's relationship with nature.'
Everyday
Making plans: 'Let's have a picnic on Mont-Royal this weekend.'
Technical
Tourism/Cartography: 'The topographical survey of Mont-Royal shows three distinct peaks.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mont-royal”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mont-royal”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mont-royal”
- Writing it as 'mount royal' in lowercase.
- Omitting the hyphen when it's part of the official name (e.g., for the park or avenue).
- Confusing it with the city of Montreal itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is more accurately a large hill (or 'mont' in French), reaching about 233 metres (764 ft) in height. It is the result of an ancient volcanic intrusion.
In Canadian English, it is commonly pronounced /ˌmɑːnt ˈrɔɪ.əl/, similar to the American IPA given. The French pronunciation, /mɔ̃ ʁwajal/, is also widely used in Montreal.
Yes, 'Mount Royal' is a common and accepted English rendering for the hill and park. However, for specific official names like 'Parc du Mont-Royal' or 'Avenue du Mont-Royal', the French form is typically retained.
The hill was named in 1535 by French explorer Jacques Cartier, who called it 'Mont Réal' (Mount Royal) in honour of the French king, Francis I. This name later gave Montreal its name.
A proper noun referring to a specific geographical location in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, most notably a large forested hill (mont) and the park and neighbourhood upon it.
Mont-royal is usually geographical/formal/neutral in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common English idioms for this proper noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Mont-Royal = MONTreal's ROYAL hill (the 'royal' mountain at the heart of the city).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE HEART OF THE CITY (a central, vital, natural landmark around which the city's life and identity revolve).
Practice
Quiz
Mont-Royal is primarily located in which Canadian province?