sovereign

[sov-rin, sov-er-in, suhv-]

noun

1. a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.

   Synonyms: potentate, empress, emperor

2. a person who has supreme power or authority.

3. a group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority.

   Synonyms: government

4. a gold coin of the United Kingdom, equal to one pound sterling: went out of circulation after 1914.

adjective

1. belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereign authority; royal.

   Synonyms: queenly, kingly, monarchical, princely, imperial, majestic, regal

2. having supreme rank, power, or authority.

3. supreme; preeminent; indisputable.

   a sovereign right.

   Synonyms: predominant, principal, paramount, chief

4. greatest in degree; utmost or extreme.

5. being above all others in character, importance, excellence, etc.

6. efficacious; potent.

   a sovereign remedy.

   Synonyms: effectual, effective

sovereign

/ ˈsɒvrɪn /

noun

1. a person exercising supreme authority, esp a monarch

2. a former British gold coin worth one pound sterling

adjective

1. supreme in rank or authority

   a sovereign lord

2. excellent or outstanding

   a sovereign remedy

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a sovereign

4. independent of outside authority

   a sovereign state

Other Word Forms

• sovereignly adverb
• nonsovereign noun
• nonsovereignly adverb
• quasi-sovereign adjective
• subsovereign noun
• supersovereign adjective
• undersovereign noun
• unsovereign adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sovereign¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English soverain, altered by influence of reign, from Old French soverain, from Vulgar Latin superānus (unrecorded), equivalent to Latin super- super- + -ānus -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of sovereign¹

C13: from Old French soverain, from Vulgar Latin superānus (unattested), from Latin super above; also influenced by _reign

Example Sentences

The Turing Institute said its board was now looking to appoint a new CEO who will oversee "the next phase" to "step up its work on defence, national security and sovereign capabilities".

From BBC

Mr Freeman had long espoused "sovereign citizen" views and had a well-documented hatred of authority.

From BBC

One demonstrator was seen with a placard expressing support for Dezi Freeman, a conspiracy theorist and self-described "sovereign citizen" who is accused shooting dead two police officers on his property earlier this week.

From BBC

They were met with gunfire, before their alleged attacker – a "sovereign citizen" with a well-documented hatred of authority – vanished into nearby bushland.

From BBC

Police have confirmed that they are searching for Dezi Bird Freeman, a conspiracy theorist and self-described "sovereign citizen" who rejects government and law.

From BBC

Related Words

• absolute 
• autonomous 
• unlimited