princeling

[ prins-ling ]

/ ˈprɪns lɪŋ /

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noun

a young prince.

a subordinate, minor, or insignificant prince.

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Origin of princeling

First recorded in 1610–20; prince + -ling¹

Words nearby princeling

princedoms, Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Islander, Prince George, princekin, princeling, princely, Prince of Darkness, Prince of Peace, Prince of Wales, Prince of Wales Island

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use princeling in a sentence

Once a pampered princeling, Yarvi cannot single-handedly succeed (literally or figuratively) and so must become a leader.
A Fantasy Titan Invades the YA Kingdom|William O’Connor|July 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A born-to-the-political-manor princeling has thrown up a white flag—and the worst may be yet to come.
The Humbling Tragedy of Jesse Jackson Jr.|James Warren|November 21, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Xi is a princeling, while Mr. Hu is a technocrat, although Mr. Xi has been successful at bridging the divide.
China: Xi Jinping Was Under Pressure Before Disappearance|The Telegraph|September 15, 2012|DAILY BEAST
But after he got to Oxford, the young princeling reportedly went off the rails.
Neil Heywood & China’s Bo Xilai Scandal: Drinker, Sailor, Fixer, Spy?|Melinda Liu|March 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST

An Oxford student magazine article said the Chinese princeling had a “strained relationship with books.”
Neil Heywood & China’s Bo Xilai Scandal: Drinker, Sailor, Fixer, Spy?|Melinda Liu|March 30, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He was a little German princeling, with a pretty moustache, and rounded hips.
The Story Of The Duchess Of Cicogne And Of Monsieur De Boulingrin|Anatole France
There was very little semblance of order; a rajah preceded a princeling, and so on down.
The Adventures of Kathlyn|Harold MacGrath
This last-born princeling soon learned how to float on his back, with his round little head just showing above the kelp.
Wild Folk|Samuel Scoville
Your young count or princeling can live like a pig until matrimony crops up.
The Terms of Surrender|Louis Tracy
Think of what every fathead princeling and beer-swilling ritter from here to Basel would say!
Joan of the Sword Hand|S(amuel) R(utherford) Crockett

British Dictionary definitions for princeling

princeling

/ (ˈprɪnslɪŋ) /

noun

Also called: princekin a young prince

Also called: princelet the ruler of an insignificant territory; petty or minor prince

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012