English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun

regicide

REJ-uh-syde

Quiz me More like this

Regicide (noun) means the killing of a king or reigning monarch. Example: “The regicide shocked the nation.”

noun

1

The killing of a king or reigning monarch.

"The regicide shocked the nation."

"Historians still debate the causes of the regicide."

"The play depicts the regicide of a fictional king."

2

A person who kills a king or reigning monarch.

"The regicide was executed for his crime."

"Several regicides were pardoned after the restoration."

"He was branded a regicide by the court."

How to use regicide

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishRegicide means the killing of a king, or the person who kills one.

When to use it

Regicide is a formal, mainly historical term rather than everyday vocabulary.

Memory tip

The -cide ending means killing, so link regicide (king-killing) to familiar words like homicide (killing a person).

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

genocide → homicide →

Common pairings

act of regicide guilty of regicide commit regicide accused of regicide

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like regicide.

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

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “regicide” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ shocked the nation.

Etymology

Regicide has two related roots in Medieval Latin. The sense meaning the killing itself comes from regicidium, meaning king-killing, while the sense meaning the killer comes from regicida, meaning king-killer. The word for the killer has been used in English since the 1540s.

Origin: Medieval Latin

Synonyms

kingslayer

Rhymes for regicide

ide tide hide ride wide side bide aide elide amide abide slide

See all rhymes for regicide →

Frequently asked questions

What does regicide mean?

Regicide means either the killing of a king or the person who kills one, depending on context.

What is the difference between regicide and tyrannicide?

Tyrannicide specifically means killing a tyrant, which counts as one particular case of regicide when the king in question is a tyrant.

Can regicide refer to both the act and the person?

Yes, regicide can mean the killing of a king or the person who committed it, and both uses come from related Latin words.

What is the meaning of regicide?

"regicide" (noun) means the killing of a king or reigning monarch.