Sovereign: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to refer to a supreme ruler, especially a king or queen, emphasizing their independence and authority. Suitable in formal contexts.

• The sovereign announced new policies for the kingdom.
• She ruled as a sovereign with wisdom and fairness.

A general term for a sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor. Emphasizes the institution rather than the individual.

• The monarch's duties include representing the country abroad.
• Many countries have abolished the monarch in favor of a republic.

A more general term that can refer to anyone who governs or controls a country or region, not necessarily inherited by birth. Can have a more neutral or even negative connotation depending on context.

• The ruler of the country faced numerous challenges.
• He is seen as a tyrannical ruler by many.

A male ruler of an independent state, usually inherited by birth. Commonly used in historical or traditional contexts.

• The king addressed his subjects from the balcony.
• King Arthur is a legendary figure in British history.

A female ruler of an independent state, usually inherited by birth. Commonly used in historical or traditional contexts.

• The queen celebrated her jubilee with a grand parade.
• Queen Elizabeth II reigned for many decades.

Primarily used in historical or formal contexts to refer to a gold coin that was used in the UK or to denote supreme rulers or supreme power.

• The museum's collection includes a rare British sovereign from the 19th century.
• He was a wise and just sovereign who ruled his kingdom with fairness.

Refers to a piece of metal used as money. Can be used generally in everyday contexts when talking about money in the form of small, flat, round metal pieces.

• She dropped a coin into the vending machine to get a snack.
• The treasure chest was filled with gold coins.

Used in a broader financial or economic context to describe the system of money in general use in a particular country.

• The Euro is the official currency of many European countries.
• Foreign currency exchange rates can change daily.

Commonly used in the UK to refer to the basic monetary unit (British pound). Suitable in everyday conversations in the UK or when referring to British money.

• This book costs twelve pounds.
• He exchanged his dollars for pounds at the airport.

Typically used to describe a nation's independence or a supreme ruler with ultimate power. The word often carries a formal and respectful tone.

• The sovereign nation declared its independence
• The sovereign ruler made a historic decision

Often used to describe the highest level of authority, control, or quality. Common in contexts involving governance, law, or excellence.

• The Supreme Court has made its ruling
• She reached the supreme level of achievement in her field

Used when referring to the final or most important aspect of something. It can describe the last in a sequence or the most extreme example of something.

• Achieving his ultimate goal took years of hard work
• This is the ultimate test of your skills

Used to describe something of the highest importance or rank. Often employed in discussions about priorities, importance, or ranking.

• Safety is of paramount importance
• In our society, children's welfare is paramount