queen
12 synonyms and 0 antonyms for queen, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A female monarch who rules a country, or the wife of a king.
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.
How to use queen
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English cwen, "queen, wife," from a Germanic root meaning "woman."
Full origin of queen →Frequently asked questions
What does “queen” mean?
The word “queen” means a female monarch who rules a country, or the wife of a king. In plain terms, a female ruler, a powerful chess piece, or the egg-laying female of a bee or ant colony.
How do you pronounce “queen”?
“Queen” is pronounced kween (/kwiːn/ in IPA).
How do you use “queen” in a sentence?
Here is “queen” used in a sentence: “The queen addressed the nation on Christmas Day.”
What part of speech is “queen”?
Depending on how it is used, “queen” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “queen” come from?
The word “queen” comes from Old English. From Old English cwen, "queen, wife," from a Germanic root meaning "woman.".
Is “queen” a common word?
“Queen” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “queen” have?
“Queen” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a female monarch who rules a country, or the wife of a king.
What is the difference between a queen and a king?
A king is a male monarch, while a queen is either a female monarch or the wife of a king. The key difference is that 'king' always denotes a ruler, whereas 'queen' can mean a woman who rules in her own right or one who holds the title through marriage.
What is the difference between a queen regnant and a queen consort?
A queen regnant rules the country in her own right, holding full royal authority, as Elizabeth II did. A queen consort is the wife of a reigning king and shares his title but not his governing power. The same word 'queen' covers both very different roles.
Can a woman be queen without being married to a king?
Yes. A queen regnant inherits or holds the throne in her own right and needs no king. Her husband, if she has one, is usually styled prince consort rather than king. Many nations have been ruled by queens who reigned independently and wielded full sovereign power.
What are the types of queen?
There are three main senses. A queen regnant rules in her own right; a queen consort is the wife of a reigning king; and a queen dowager, or queen mother, is the widow of a former king. Only the regnant actually governs the country.