tsar
Tsar (noun) means a historical emperor of Russia, or of certain other Slavic states. Example: “The last tsar of Russia was overthrown in 1917.”
How to use tsar
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHistorically, a Russian emperor; today also used loosely for someone put in charge of a major policy area.
Both "tsar" and the older spelling "czar" are used in English; "tsar" is now more common outside the US.
Word forms
- Plural
- tsars, tsari
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The last _____ of Russia was overthrown in 1917.
Etymology
Borrowed from Russian tsar, which ultimately descends from the Latin name Caesar — the same root that gives German "Kaiser."