French word

souverain

Pronunciation

IPA/suvəʁɛ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nounmonarch

Example

Le souverain a salué la foule.

The monarch greeted the crowd.

Illustration for souverain (monarch)

More examples

On a vu le souverain dans la rue.

The sovereign was seen in the street.

Core concept

A crowned ruler seated at the highest point of a state's power.

Similar words

roi: A male monarch who holds a kingdom's throne.
reine: A female monarch who holds a kingdom's throne.
monarque: A person who rules as the head of a state.
dirigeant: A person who leads an organization or country and makes decisions.

Definition in French

Personne qui détient l'autorité suprême d'un État, souvent un monarque comme un roi ou une reine.

Word origin

Souverain descends from Old French soverain and Late Latin superanus, built on super, meaning 'above', for something placed highest.

Usage tips

  • Souverain is more formal and historical than roi or reine, especially in news, politics, and history.

Other meanings

  • kingnoun
  • rulernoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word