king
King (noun) means a male monarch who rules a country, typically inheriting the position by birth. Example: “The king was crowned in a grand ceremony at the cathedral.”
How to Use King
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe male ruler of a country, or, more loosely, whoever or whatever is dominant in a certain area.
Word Forms
kinged past tense, kings plural, Kings plural, Kings plural, kings singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ was crowned in a grand ceremony at the cathedral.
Etymology
From Old English cyning, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "of the kin/clan" — a king was originally seen as leader of the people or family group, not just ruler of land.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for king
See all rhymes for king →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “king” mean?
The word “king” means a male monarch who rules a country, typically inheriting the position by birth. In plain terms, the male ruler of a country, or, more loosely, whoever or whatever is dominant in a certain area.
How do you pronounce “king”?
“King” is pronounced KIHNGG (/ˈkɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “king” in a sentence?
Here is “king” used in a sentence: “The king was crowned in a grand ceremony at the cathedral.”
What is another word for “king”?
Words with a similar meaning to “king” include Rex and roy.
What part of speech is “king”?
Depending on how it is used, “king” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “king” come from?
The word “king” comes from Old English. From Old English cyning, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "of the kin/clan" — a king was originally seen as leader of the people or family group, not just ruler of land.
Is “king” a common word?
“King” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “king” have?
“King” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male monarch who rules a country, typically inheriting the position by birth.
What is the difference between a king and an emperor?
A king rules a single kingdom or country, usually one nation or people. An emperor holds a higher rank, ruling an empire made up of several territories, kingdoms, or peoples brought under one crown. Every emperor outranks a king, and an emperor often governs lands that include kings beneath him.
What is the difference between a king and a queen?
A king is a male monarch, while a queen is either a female monarch who rules in her own right or the wife of a reigning king. A king almost always inherits the throne through the male line, whereas a queen may rule by inheritance, marriage, or succession when no male heir exists.
Does a king always inherit the throne?
Usually, yes. Most kings inherit the crown by birth, passing from parent to child in a hereditary line of succession. However, some men have become king through conquest, election by nobles, or marriage to a ruling queen. Inheritance is the typical route, but it is not the only way the title has been gained.
Is 'king' only used for royalty?
No. Beyond the literal monarch, 'king' is widely used figuratively to mean the best or most dominant in a field, as in 'the king of pop' or 'cash is king.' It also names the most important piece in chess and the highest-ranking court card in a deck.