overlord
Overlord (noun) means a ruler who holds power over other rulers or lower authorities. Example: “The regional kings paid tribute to their overlord.”
How to use overlord
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA supreme ruler or controller — used seriously in history and jokingly in everyday speech.
Word forms
overlorded past tense, overlords plural, overlords singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The regional kings paid tribute to their _____.
Etymology
From Middle English variants like oferrlaferrd, built from over- + lord.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “overlord” mean?
The word “overlord” means a ruler who holds power over other rulers or lower authorities. In plain terms, a supreme ruler or controller — used seriously in history and jokingly in everyday speech.
How do you pronounce “overlord”?
“Overlord” is pronounced OH-vuh-lawd (/ˈəʊvə(ɹ)lɔː(ɹ)d/ in IPA).
How do you use “overlord” in a sentence?
Here is “overlord” used in a sentence: “The regional kings paid tribute to their overlord.”
What part of speech is “overlord”?
“Overlord” is a noun.
Where does the word “overlord” come from?
The word “overlord” comes from Middle English. From Middle English variants like oferrlaferrd, built from over- + lord.
How many meanings does “overlord” have?
“Overlord” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a ruler who holds power over other rulers or lower authorities.