king Definition

king
noun

1. A male ruler of a nation, especially a hereditary monarch.

Thesaurus: monarch, sovereign, ruler, majesty, emperor, despot, potentate, tyrant, autocrat, sultan, khan; Antonym: subject.
2. A ruler or chief.
3. A creature considered supreme in strength, ferocity, etc.

Example: the lion, king of beasts
4. A large, or the largest, variety of something.

Example: king penguins
Example: king prawns
5. A leading or dominant figure in a specified field, eg a wealthy manufacturer or dealer.

Example: the diamond king
6. cards.
The court card bearing a picture of a king.
7. chess.
The most important piece, which must be protected from checkmate.
8. draughts.
A piece that, having crossed the board safely, has been crowned (see crown verb 6), and may move both forwards and backwards.

Derivative: kingless
adj

Derivative: kingship
noun

The state, office or dignity of a king.

Idiom: king it

To act as if superior to, or in authority over, others.

Idiom: live like a king

colloq
To live in great luxury.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon cyning.