conqueror
Americannoun
-
conquerors
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of conqueror
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English conquerour, from Anglo-French; Old French conquereor, from conquer(re) “to conquer” ( see conquer) + -eor, from either Latin -or -or 1 or -ātor -ator
Explanation
A conqueror takes over a place by using military force. If you enjoy role-playing video games, you might like taking on the persona of a conqueror who battles evil orcs in order to rule their territory. Generally, conqueror is used to mean the winner of a war or the leader of a vanquishing army. You can also use it in a figurative way for someone who wins or defeats others in a game or sport: "My conqueror in the chess match was that tiny ten-year-old kid." The Latin root of both conqueror and conquer is conquirere, "to win or procure by effort."
Vocabulary lists containing conqueror
Chinese History - Introductory
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Chinese History - Middle School and High School
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"Why Women Always Take Advantage of Men"
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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.
See Examples For:
This earned Agrippa the gratitude of his friend’s great-uncle, Julius Caesar, the conqueror of Gaul and dictator of Rome.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
Spain's Rafael Jodar, 19, will be his quarter-final opponent, followed by Djokovic's conqueror Joao Fonseca, also 19, or 20-year-old Czech Jakub Mensik in the semi-finals.
From BBC ● May 31, 2026
The stylized tableau depicted Columbus as a noble conqueror: one hand raised to the horizon, the other lifting a veil from a globe.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2025
But it seems more and more obvious that he's seriously entertaining fantasies of being some sort of world conqueror.
From Salon ● Feb. 3, 2025
“I am the conqueror of this continent, and soon to be ruler of all Erilea. You will not question me.”
From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas
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The 11th-century work, which depicts the Norman conquest of England by William the Conqueror, arrived in London in July for a sell-out showcase that runs until July 2027.
From Barron's ● Sep. 3, 2026
Having defeated the Norwegians, Harold was defeated in turn by William the Conqueror at the Battle of Hastings.
From BBC ● Jan. 20, 2026
It is made up of 58 scenes, 626 characters and 202 horses, and depicts William the Conqueror taking the English throne from Harold Godwinson, becoming the first Norman king of England.
From BBC ● Jan. 14, 2026
Majors had previously played villain Kang the Conqueror in the MCU.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2025
Then Aegon the Conqueror had sailed from Dragonstone.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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He even hailed Britain's role in colonizing North America -- a controversial subject given the atrocities against native people by waves of European conquerors who crossed the Atlantic.
From Barron's ● Apr. 28, 2026
Men who seize this opportunity are not conquered or conquerors.
From Salon ● Sep. 1, 2024
The goal preserved Leverkusen's incredible unbeaten record since a 3-0 reverse at Bochum on 27 May last year, 328 days ago, and booked a last-four meeting with Brighton's conquerors Roma, who knocked out AC Milan.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2024
In Mexico, they were apparently brought by the Spanish conquerors, but may also replicate pre-Hispanic traditions.
From Seattle Times ● Dec. 22, 2023
“But are you sure you are not in the position of those conquerors whose triumphs have cost them too dear? Would not such another ruin you?”
From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë
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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.