Definition of SOVEREIGN

sovereign

Meanings

Plural: sovereigns

Noun

  • a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
  • A monarch; the ruler of a country.
  • One who is not a subject to a ruler or nation.
  • One who is not a subject to a ruler or nation.
  • Ellipsis of sovereign citizen.
  • A gold coin of the United Kingdom, with a nominal value of one pound sterling but in practice used as a bullion coin.
  • A former Australian gold coin, minted from 1855–1931, of one pound value.
  • A very large champagne bottle with the capacity of about 25 liters, equivalent to 33+¹⁄₃ standard bottles.
  • Any butterfly of the tribe Nymphalini, or genus Basilarchia, eg., ursula, viceroy.
  • A large, garish ring; a sovereign ring.

Adjective Satellite

  • (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces
    • "a sovereign state"
  • greatest in status or authority or power

Adj

  • Exercising power of rule.
  • Exceptional in quality.
  • Extremely potent or effective (of a medicine, remedy etc.).
  • Having supreme, ultimate power.
  • Princely; royal.
  • Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.

Verb

  • To rule over as a sovereign.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English sovereyn, from Old French soverain (whence also modern French souverain), from Vulgar Latin *superānus (compare Italian sovrano, Spanish soberano) from Latin super (“above”). Spelling influenced by folk-etymology association with reign. Doublet of soprano, from the same Latin root via Italian. See also suzerain, foreign.

Synonyms

autonomous, crowned head, independent, monarch, self-governing, supreme

Scrabble Score: 13

sovereign is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
sovereign is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
sovereign is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

sovereign is a valid Words With Friends word