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noun B1 Intermediate Common

emperor

EHMP-ruh

Emperor (noun) means a male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king. Example: “The emperor expanded his territory through a series of conquests.”

noun
1
A male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king.
"The emperor expanded his territory through a series of conquests."
2
A ruler of an empire in general, regardless of gender.
"Historians still debate how much real power the last emperor actually held."

How to Use Emperor

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe ruler of an empire — a step above a king or queen in traditional hierarchies.

Common pairings
crown an emperor reign of the emperor emperor penguin

Word Forms

emperors plural

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Test yourself on “emperor” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ expanded his territory through a series of conquests.

Etymology

From Latin imperator, "commander," ultimately from imperare, "to command."

Origin: Latin

Related Words

Rhymes for emperor

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “emperor” mean?

The word “emperor” means a male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king. In plain terms, the ruler of an empire — a step above a king or queen in traditional hierarchies.

How do you pronounce “emperor”?

“Emperor” is pronounced EHMP-ruh (/ˈɛmp(ə)ɹɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “emperor” in a sentence?

Here is “emperor” used in a sentence: “The emperor expanded his territory through a series of conquests.”

What part of speech is “emperor”?

“Emperor” is a noun.

Where does the word “emperor” come from?

The word “emperor” comes from Latin. From Latin imperator, "commander," ultimately from imperare, "to command.".

Is “emperor” a common word?

“Emperor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

How many meanings does “emperor” have?

“Emperor” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male ruler of an empire, typically ranking above a king.

What is the difference between an emperor and a king?

An emperor is a male ruler of an empire and typically ranks above a king. An empire usually contains multiple territories or peoples, sometimes including several kingdoms, whereas a king rules a single kingdom. In short, an emperor generally holds higher status than a king.

What is the female equivalent of an emperor?

The female counterpart of an emperor is an empress. An empress may rule an empire in her own right or hold the title as the wife of an emperor. Note that "emperor" can also be used more generally for a ruler of an empire regardless of gender.

What is the difference between an emperor and an empire?

An emperor is the person who rules, while an empire is the collection of territories and peoples they rule over. The emperor is the title-holder; the empire is the domain.

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