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sovereign

Adjective[C/U] Both
pl: sovereigns

This word carries a heavy weight of authority and autonomy. When applied to a person, it evokes the image of an absolute center of power, where the ruler's word is law and no higher authority exists to override their decisions. It is far more formal and rigid than terms like leader or head of state. When describing a state or an individual's will, it suggests a state of total independence and self-governance. It implies a boundary that cannot be crossed by outside forces, creating a sense of inviolable dignity and legal supremacy.

Countable when referring to a specific monarch or a gold coin. Uncountable when referring to the abstract quality of having supreme power.

Meanings

Noun
[someone]

A supreme ruler, especially a monarch.

"The sovereign addressed the parliament."

Adjective
[something]

Possessing supreme or ultimate power.

"The nation regained its sovereign status after the war."

Noun
[something]

A gold coin formerly used in the United Kingdom.

"He kept a single sovereign in his pocket for luck."

Last Updated: May 27, 2026Report an Error