sovereign

The word “sovereign” means having supreme power or independent authority. In plain terms, supreme in power or authority — either a ruler, or a nation that governs itself independently.

“Sovereign” is pronounced SOV-rihn (/ˈsɑv(ə)ɹɪn/ in IPA).

Here is “sovereign” used in a sentence: “The treaty recognized the nation as a fully sovereign state.”

Words with a similar meaning to “sovereign” include autonomous and supreme.

Depending on how it is used, “sovereign” can be an adjective and a noun.

The word “sovereign” comes from Vulgar Latin. From Old French soverain, from Vulgar Latin *superanus ("above others"), from Latin super ("above"). The modern spelling was reshaped by folk association with "reign," even though the words come from different roots.

“Sovereign” is a fairly common word in modern English.

“Sovereign” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having supreme power or independent authority.

A "monarch" is specifically a king, queen, or emperor who reigns, while a "sovereign" is any supreme ruler or, more broadly, anything holding supreme power or independent authority. Every monarch is a sovereign, but a sovereign can also be a state or governing body rather than a single person.

In "sovereign state," "sovereign" is an adjective meaning fully self-governing and free from outside control. A sovereign state holds supreme authority over its own territory and laws and is not subject to another power.

"Sovereign" is an adjective or noun describing who or what holds supreme power, while "sovereignty" is the abstract noun for that power or authority itself. A country is sovereign because it possesses sovereignty over its own affairs.