Kaiser
5 synonyms for Kaiser, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The historical title for the emperor of Germany or Austria, most famously Wilhelm II of Germany.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Etymology
Borrowed from German kaiser ("emperor"), itself ultimately derived from the Roman name Caesar — making it a distant cousin of both "Caesar" and the Russian title "tsar."
Full origin of Kaiser →Frequently asked questions
What does “Kaiser” mean?
The word “Kaiser” means the historical title for the emperor of Germany or Austria, most famously Wilhelm II of Germany. In plain terms, german for "emperor," used historically for German and Austrian rulers, and also the name of a type of bread roll.
How do you pronounce “Kaiser”?
“Kaiser” is pronounced KEYE-zuh (/ˈkaɪzɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “Kaiser” in a sentence?
Here is “Kaiser” used in a sentence: “The kaiser abdicated at the end of the First World War.”
What part of speech is “Kaiser”?
“Kaiser” is a noun.
Where does the word “Kaiser” come from?
The word “Kaiser” comes from German. Borrowed from German kaiser ("emperor"), itself ultimately derived from the Roman name Caesar — making it a distant cousin of both "Caesar" and the Russian title "tsar.".
Is “Kaiser” a common word?
“Kaiser” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Kaiser” have?
“Kaiser” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the historical title for the emperor of Germany or Austria, most famously Wilhelm II of Germany.
What is the difference between a Kaiser and a Tsar?
Kaiser was the historical title for the emperor of Germany or Austria, most famously Wilhelm II of Germany, while Tsar was the equivalent imperial title used in Russia and other Slavic monarchies. Both titles derive from the same root as "Caesar" but were used in different empires.
Is Kaiser used as a general word for a ruler today?
Yes, beyond its historical title, kaiser can be used more broadly for any emperor or autocratic ruler, or figuratively for someone who acts like one, even outside a specifically German or Austrian context.
What is a kaiser roll?
A kaiser roll is a round, crusty bread roll with a distinctive pinwheel pattern on top, a completely different meaning from the imperial title, connected only by sharing the same word.
