viceroy
Americannoun
-
a person appointed to rule a country or province as the deputy of the sovereign.
the viceroy of India.
-
a brightly marked American butterfly, Limenitis archippus, closely mimicking the monarch butterfly in coloration.
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of viceroy
1515–25; < Middle French, equivalent to vice- vice- + roy king < Latin rēgem, accusative of rēx
Explanation
A viceroy is appointed by a king to be in charge of a country or province. When a country is ruled by a monarch — a king or queen — and controls colonies or provinces, the monarch can’t govern all those remote areas personally. That's where a viceroy comes in. The king or queen appoints a representative to rule over the colony or province. This viceroy is the most powerful person in this region, kind of like a king or president. The difference is that the viceroy has to answer to the monarch, his boss back in the mother country.
Vocabulary lists containing viceroy
Mythology
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
South America - Middle School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
South America - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Ashdown duly received the not entirely flattering nickname of "Viceroy of Bosnia".
From BBC • May 11, 2026
So Britain retained its role in the Gulf for 24 more years, with an 'Arabian Raj' now reporting to Whitehall rather than to the Viceroy of India.
From BBC • Jun. 21, 2025
Located in the Gold Coast and just moments from the Magnificent Mile, the Viceroy boasts an 18th-floor rooftop pool with city views.
From Salon • Jul. 22, 2024
“The Viceroy’s Daughters,” for instance, is about Irene, Cynthia and Alexandra Curzon, whose father was Viceroy of India from 1898 to 1905.
From New York Times • Feb. 14, 2024
He is gradually advanced in rank until he becomes a Viceroy of two Provinces, and rules over thirty millions of people.
From Sidelights on Chinese Life by Macgowan, J. (John)
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.
