potentate
Americannoun
noun
Etymology
Origin of potentate
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin potentātus potentate, Latin: power, dominion. See potent 1, -ate 3
Explanation
A potentate is a person so powerful that he or she doesn't have to follow the rules that govern everyone else. Potentate normally refers to a king or dictator, but you can call anyone with virtually unlimited power a potentate. The king of a country, the conductor of an orchestra, the commander of a battleship—all of these are examples of a potentate. Take a look at potentate, and you'll see the word potent, which means "powerful," as in "that's one potent cup o' joe!" It's easy to see, then, how potent becomes potentate just by adding a few letters. A potentate is a powerful person. Anna Wintour is a potentate of the fashion world, and her decisions can make or break whole careers.
Vocabulary lists containing potentate
300 Most Difficult "SAT" Words
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
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"My Wonder Horse," Vocabulary from the short story
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Hurtado, the main consultant at the independently run Potentate Films, also felt the movie had universal appeal.
From New York Times • Aug. 3, 2022
Marchetti compared the American release of new Indian movies to a continuing celebration, with companies like Variance and Potentate Films helping pass out invitations.
From New York Times • Aug. 3, 2022
At the annual Shriners meeting, Potentate Freeland Kendrick proposed each member pony up $2 a year to found the endeavor.
From Washington Times • Feb. 28, 2016
Meads owned and operated a lumber company, served as Potentate of the Hamasa Shrine Temple and among other civic, cultural and philanthropic endeavors, assisted financially with the building of the First Presbyterian Church.
From Washington Times • Aug. 30, 2015
It was instantly agreed to, by a great Majority, That it was a Political Romance; but concerning what State or Potentate, could not so easily be settled amongst them.
From A Political Romance by Sterne, Laurence
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
