noun
Uncommon
viceroy
VYS-roy
Viceroy (noun) means a person who rules a colony, province, or territory as the official representative of a monarch. Example: “The viceroy governed India on behalf of the British crown.”
noun
1
A person who rules a colony, province, or territory as the official representative of a monarch.
"Mike Davis, a former Senate GOP staffer on Supreme Court nominations and current “viceroy” of Trumpworld, wrote that Alito was “gleefully packing up his chambers” after the 2024 election."
— John Bowden, Why two justices could hand Republicans their own ‘Ginsburg moment’ next year (2025)
"Ireland was governed by a Viceroy representing the English King/Queen when it was part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland."
"The viceroy governed India on behalf of the British crown."
"The Viceroy's on board - tends to liven things up."
— David Lean, A Screenplay of E.M. Forster's A Passage to India (1980)
2
An orange-and-black North American butterfly that closely resembles the monarch butterfly, but is smaller.
"A viceroy landed on the fence post, easy to mistake for a monarch."
How to use viceroy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA royal governor ruling on a monarch's behalf, or a butterfly that mimics the monarch species.
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Word forms
- Plural
- viceroys
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The _____ governed India on behalf of the British crown.
Etymology
From Middle French vice-roy, literally "in place of the king."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for viceroy
See all rhymes for viceroy →Frequently asked questions
What does “viceroy” mean?
The word “viceroy” means a person who rules a colony, province, or territory as the official representative of a monarch. In plain terms, a royal governor ruling on a monarch's behalf, or a butterfly that mimics the monarch species.
How do you pronounce “viceroy”?
“Viceroy” is pronounced VYS-roy (/ˈvaɪsˌɹɔɪ/ in IPA).
How do you use “viceroy” in a sentence?
Here is “viceroy” used in a sentence: “The viceroy governed India on behalf of the British crown.”
What part of speech is “viceroy”?
“Viceroy” is a noun.
Where does the word “viceroy” come from?
The word “viceroy” comes from Middle French. From Middle French vice-roy, literally "in place of the king.".
Is “viceroy” a common word?
“Viceroy” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “viceroy” have?
“Viceroy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a person who rules a colony, province, or territory as the official representative of a monarch.
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