rex
Rex (noun) means a king, especially used as a title in ancient Rome or in formal Latin-style titles. Example: “The old seal was engraved with the Latin word "rex.”
How to use rex
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLatin for "king," now mostly known as a men's first name and a common name for pet dogs.
Word forms
rexed past tense, rexes plural, reges plural, rexes singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old seal was engraved with the Latin word "_____."
Etymology
From Latin rex ("king"). As a name for short-furred rabbits and cats it entered English around 1920, after the "castorrex" rabbit breed.
Synonyms
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Frequently asked questions
What does “rex” mean?
The word “rex” means a king, especially used as a title in ancient Rome or in formal Latin-style titles. In plain terms, latin for "king," now mostly known as a men's first name and a common name for pet dogs.
How do you pronounce “rex”?
“Rex” is pronounced REHKS (/ˈɹɛks/ in IPA).
How do you use “rex” in a sentence?
Here is “rex” used in a sentence: “The old seal was engraved with the Latin word "rex.".”
What part of speech is “rex”?
Depending on how it is used, “rex” can be a noun and a name.
Where does the word “rex” come from?
The word “rex” dates back to around 1920 and comes from Latin. From Latin rex ("king"). As a name for short-furred rabbits and cats it entered English around 1920, after the "castorrex" rabbit breed.
Is “rex” a common word?
“Rex” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “rex” have?
“Rex” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a king, especially used as a title in ancient Rome or in formal Latin-style titles.
What is the difference between 'rex' and 'regina'?
In Latin, 'rex' means 'king' and 'regina' means 'queen.' They appear in formal titles and legal phrasing, where 'Rex' follows a king's name and 'Regina' a queen's.
Is 'Rex' used as a first name?
Yes. 'Rex' is a male given name taken from the Latin word for 'king.' As a personal name it is fairly uncommon, and it is also familiar as a traditional name for pet dogs.
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