the queen's English
nounUK /ðə kwiːnz ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
US /ðə kwinz ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ/
The Queen's English is the proper way of speaking and writing English, like the kind used in Britain.
My grandmother always reminds us to speak the Queen's English at the dinner table.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. The English language as spoken by educated people in Britain, especially in southern England.
The newsreader spoke in the Queen's English, clear and formal.
3. Correct grammar and pronunciation in English generally, not tied to any country.
The teacher expects the Queen's English in every essay.
4. A refined or old-fashioned way of speaking that sounds very formal.
He answered in the Queen's English, saying 'one does not do that' instead of 'you shouldn't do that'.