prince
Prince (noun) means a male member of a royal family, especially the son or grandson of a monarch. Example: “The prince waved to the crowd from the palace balcony.”
How to Use Prince
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA male royal below the rank of king — or, figuratively, someone who's the best at what they do.
Word Forms
princed past tense, princes plural, Princes plural, Princes plural, princes singular
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ waved to the crowd from the palace balcony.
Etymology
From Latin prīnceps, "first head," from prīmus ("first") plus capiō ("to seize, take").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for prince
See all rhymes for prince →Frequently Asked Questions
What does “prince” mean?
The word “prince” means a male member of a royal family, especially the son or grandson of a monarch. In plain terms, a male royal below the rank of king — or, figuratively, someone who's the best at what they do.
How do you pronounce “prince”?
“Prince” is pronounced prihns (/pɹɪns/ in IPA).
How do you use “prince” in a sentence?
Here is “prince” used in a sentence: “The prince waved to the crowd from the palace balcony.”
What part of speech is “prince”?
“Prince” is a noun.
Where does the word “prince” come from?
The word “prince” comes from Latin. From Latin prīnceps, "first head," from prīmus ("first") plus capiō ("to seize, take").
Is “prince” a common word?
“Prince” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “prince” have?
“Prince” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a male member of a royal family, especially the son or grandson of a monarch.
What is the difference between a prince and a king?
A king is the reigning male monarch, the head of a royal family and often of a country. A prince is usually his son, grandson, or another male relative, ranking below him. A prince may become king when he inherits the throne, but until then he holds the lesser title.
What is the female equivalent of a prince?
A "princess" is the female counterpart — a daughter or granddaughter of a monarch, or the wife of a prince. Just as a prince is typically the son of a king or queen, a princess is the daughter, and either may stand in line to the throne.
What is the difference between a prince and a duke?
Both are titles, but a prince ranks higher and belongs to the royal family, usually as the child or grandchild of a monarch. A duke holds the highest rank of nobility below prince and may or may not be royal. One person can hold both, as a prince also created a duke.
Can a prince become king?
Yes. A prince who is heir to the throne becomes king when the reigning monarch dies or abdicates, the prince first in line being the direct successor. Not every prince inherits, though — only the one highest in the order of succession takes the crown.