sovereign

[sov-rin, sov-er-in, suhv-]

noun

1. a monarch; a king, queen, or other supreme ruler.

   Synonyms: potentate, empress, emperor

2. a person who has supreme power or authority.

3. a group or body of persons or a state having sovereign authority.

   Synonyms: government

4. a gold coin of the United Kingdom, equal to one pound sterling: went out of circulation after 1914.

adjective

1. belonging to or characteristic of a sovereign or sovereign authority; royal.

   Synonyms: queenly, kingly, monarchical, princely, imperial, majestic, regal

2. having supreme rank, power, or authority.

3. supreme; preeminent; indisputable.

   a sovereign right.

   Synonyms: predominant, principal, paramount, chief

4. greatest in degree; utmost or extreme.

5. being above all others in character, importance, excellence, etc.

6. efficacious; potent.

   a sovereign remedy.

   Synonyms: effectual, effective

sovereign

/ ˈsɒvrɪn /

noun

1. a person exercising supreme authority, esp a monarch

2. a former British gold coin worth one pound sterling

adjective

1. supreme in rank or authority

   a sovereign lord

2. excellent or outstanding

   a sovereign remedy

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a sovereign

4. independent of outside authority

   a sovereign state

Other Word Forms

• sovereignly adverb
• nonsovereign noun
• nonsovereignly adverb
• quasi-sovereign adjective
• subsovereign noun
• supersovereign adjective
• undersovereign noun
• unsovereign adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sovereign¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English soverain, altered by influence of reign, from Old French soverain, from Vulgar Latin superānus (unrecorded), equivalent to Latin super- super- + -ānus -an

Word History and Origins

Origin of sovereign¹

C13: from Old French soverain, from Vulgar Latin superānus (unattested), from Latin super above; also influenced by _reign

Example Sentences

The remark caused Japanese bond yields to rise sharply, while yields on other global sovereign bonds, from the U.S. to Europe and the rest of Asia, quickly followed suit.

Read more on MarketWatch

He also told the Ukrainian delegation that the aim of peace talks with Russia is to leave Ukraine "sovereign, independent and prosperous".

Read more on BBC

Rubio told reporters as the meeting began that the talks were aimed at “securing an end to the war that leaves Ukraine sovereign and independent and with an opportunity for real prosperity.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"This is not just about peace deals. It's about creating a pathway forward that leaves Ukraine sovereign, independent and prosperous," Rubio said at the start of the negotiations.

Read more on Barron's

While tribal governments are recognized as sovereign nations with the authority to issue identification, federal officers do not always receive guidance on how to verify them.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• absolute 
• autonomous 
• unlimited