King: meaning, definitions and examples

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king

[ kɪŋ ]

Noun

Oxford 3000

^{Context #1 | Noun}

ruler

A male monarch who rules a kingdom or empire, typically through hereditary right. Kings often have significant political power and are seen as the highest authority in their realm. Throughout history, kings have played a central role in shaping the political landscape of their countries.

Synonyms

monarch, ruler, sovereign.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
king	Used to describe a male leader of a kingdom, often hereditary. Suitable for historical, fantasy, or real-world settings. The king addressed his subjects from the royal balcony. King Arthur became a legendary figure in British folklore.
monarch	A general term for a single ruling person, male or female, encompassing kings, queens, emperors, and empresses. Suitable for formal or academic contexts. The country's monarch has announced new reforms. Queen Elizabeth II was a beloved monarch.
sovereign	A formal and respectful term for the supreme ruler of a kingdom or territory, often used in legal or official documents. The sovereign will deliver the speech at the parliament opening. Sovereign powers are often passed down through generations in royal families.
ruler	Refers broadly to someone who governs or controls a region or group. Can be used in historical, modern, or metaphorical contexts. The ruler of the new empire was known for his wisdom. A fair ruler ensures justice for all citizens.

Examples of usage

The king issued a decree to raise taxes in the kingdom.
The king's coronation ceremony was a grand event attended by nobles from across the land.
Kings in medieval times often led their armies into battle personally.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

playing card

The highest-ranking card in a deck of playing cards, usually depicted with a crown. In many card games, the king is considered the most powerful card and can often determine the outcome of the game.

Synonyms

monarch, ruler, sovereign.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
king	Refers to a male sovereign or head of a kingdom. It is commonly used in historical, fairy tales, or modern descriptions of a reigning male monarch. King Arthur was legendary for his knights and the Round Table. The king addressed his subjects during the annual festival.
monarch	A gender-neutral term referring to a sovereign ruler of a kingdom or empire. Suitable for formal and historical contexts. The monarch's decisions greatly influenced the nation's future. Queen Elizabeth II is a well-known modern monarch.
sovereign	A formal term for a supreme ruler, particularly used in legal or diplomatic contexts. Can apply to both kings and queens. The sovereign signed a treaty to establish peace between the nations. Her Majesty serves as the sovereign of multiple regions.
ruler	A general term for someone who governs or controls a country or region. Can be applied in historical, modern, or metaphorical contexts. Often carries a more neutral tone. The ruler imposed new laws to maintain order in the kingdom. He was a fair and just ruler, beloved by his people.

Examples of usage

She played the king of hearts to win the trick.
In a game of poker, having a pair of kings can be a winning hand.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

chess piece

The most important piece in the game of chess, capable of moving in any direction on the board. The king is the piece that must be protected at all costs, as its capture results in the end of the game.

Synonyms

monarch, ruler, sovereign.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
king	Typically used to describe the male ruler of an independent state, especially one who inherits the position by right of birth. The king addressed his people from the balcony In the fairy tale, the king ruled wisely and justly
monarch	A more formal or academic term for a king or queen, emphasizing their role as a single ruler. Suitable for historical or political discussions. Queen Elizabeth II is a constitutional monarch The monarch exercised absolute power for many years
sovereign	Emphasizes the supreme authority and independence of a ruler. Often used in legal, formal, or diplomatic contexts. The sovereign issued a decree that changed the laws of the land Each state is a sovereign entity with its own government
ruler	Can refer to any leader of a country, kingdom, or domain. Suitable in contexts where the focus is on the authority and control the individual wields rather than their title. The ruler enforced strict laws to maintain order She was a benevolent ruler who cared deeply for her subjects

Examples of usage

The player moved their king to safety to avoid checkmate.
The king can castle with the rook in certain situations.

Translations

Translations of the word "king" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rei

🇮🇳 राजा

🇩🇪 König

🇮🇩 raja

🇺🇦 король

🇵🇱 król

🇯🇵 王

🇫🇷 roi

🇪🇸 rey

🇹🇷 kral

🇰🇷 왕

🇸🇦 ملك

🇨🇿 král

🇸🇰 kráľ

🇨🇳 国王

🇸🇮 kralj

🇮🇸 konungur

🇰🇿 патша

🇬🇪 მეფე

🇦🇿 kral

🇲🇽 rey

Etymology

The word 'king' has its origins in Old English 'cyning', which in turn comes from the Proto-Germanic 'kuningaz'. The concept of kingship has existed for thousands of years, with rulers in various civilizations taking on titles equivalent to 'king'. Kings have been portrayed in literature, mythology, and folklore as powerful and often divine figures. The role of the king has evolved over time, from absolute rulers to constitutional monarchs in modern times.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,004, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.

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