noun
Uncommon
monarch
MO-nuhk
Monarch (noun) means a king, queen, emperor, or other hereditary ruler who is head of state. Example: “The monarch opened parliament with a formal speech.”
noun
1
A king, queen, emperor, or other hereditary ruler who is head of state.
"The monarch opened parliament with a formal speech."
"Under the constitution, the monarch has largely ceremonial powers."
"The monarch waved to the crowds from the balcony of the palace."
2
A large orange-and-black butterfly (Danaus plexippus) known for its long migrations.
"Monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles to their wintering grounds in Mexico."
"A monarch landed on the milkweed in our garden this morning."
"The class raised a monarch from a caterpillar and then released it."
How to use monarch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hereditary ruler such as a king or queen, or the well-known migratory orange butterfly.
Common pairings
reigning monarch
monarch butterfly
absolute monarch
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like monarch.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- monarchs
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ opened parliament with a formal speech.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek monárkhēs, "sole ruler," combining mónos ("alone") and arkhós ("leader").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “monarch” mean?
The word “monarch” means a king, queen, emperor, or other hereditary ruler who is head of state. In plain terms, a hereditary ruler such as a king or queen, or the well-known migratory orange butterfly.
How do you pronounce “monarch”?
“Monarch” is pronounced MO-nuhk (/ˈmɑnɚk/ in IPA).
How do you use “monarch” in a sentence?
Here is “monarch” used in a sentence: “The monarch opened parliament with a formal speech.”
What part of speech is “monarch”?
“Monarch” is a noun.
Where does the word “monarch” come from?
The word “monarch” comes from Ancient Greek. From Ancient Greek monárkhēs, "sole ruler," combining mónos ("alone") and arkhós ("leader").
Is “monarch” a common word?
“Monarch” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “monarch” have?
“Monarch” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a king, queen, emperor, or other hereditary ruler who is head of state.
What is the difference between a monarch and a king or queen?
Monarch is the general term for a hereditary head of state, and it covers kings, queens, emperors, and other similar rulers. King and queen are specific titles within the broader category of monarch, distinguished mainly by gender and sometimes rank.
Why is the monarch butterfly called a monarch?
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is a large orange-and-black butterfly known for its long migrations, and it shares its name with the ruler sense of monarch, though the two meanings are unrelated in origin and simply refer to different things.
Is monarch always a hereditary position?
Based on the core definition, a monarch is typically a hereditary ruler who is head of state, meaning the position usually passes down through a royal family line rather than being elected or appointed.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include monarch:
