king
king
Pronunciation
King
IPA Phonetic Spelling: /kɪŋ/
Syllable 1: /kɪŋ/
/k/ as in "cat" (voiceless velar stop)
/ɪ/ as in "sit" (short high front unrounded vowel)
/ŋ/ as in "sing" (voiced velar nasal)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: king
Plural: kings
Verb (less common, usually informal/figurative):
Base form: king (e.g., to king someone)
Past tense: kinged
Past participle: kinged
Present participle: kinging
Third-person singular present: kings
Adjective (attributive use of noun, or derived):
king (e.g., king-size, king crab)
kingly (derived, meaning like a king)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A male sovereign or monarch; a man who is the hereditary head of a state, ruling over a kingdom or empire.
Synonyms: monarch, sovereign, ruler, emperor, potentate, crown
Antonyms: queen (female monarch), subject, commoner, vassal
A person, animal, or thing regarded as the most important or dominant of its kind in a particular area or group.
Synonyms: leader, chief, master, ruler, paramount, supreme, dominant, champion
Antonyms: subordinate, follower, minion, subject, commoner
The most important chess piece, which the opponent seeks to checkmate to win the game.
Synonyms: monarch (in chess context)
Antonyms: pawn, knight, bishop, rook, queen (as other chess pieces)
A playing card in a suit, bearing the figure of a king, ranked above a queen and below an ace.
Synonyms: face card (general term for royalty cards)
Antonyms: queen, jack, ace (as other card ranks)
Verb
To make (someone) a king; to crown or enthrone as a monarch. (Often used in passive voice)
Synonyms: crown, enthrone, anoint, install (as monarch)
Antonyms: dethrone, depose, unseat, abdicate
(In checkers/draughts) To promote a draught (checker) to a king, giving it enhanced movement capabilities.
Synonyms: crown, promote, empower
Antonyms: demote, lose (a piece)
(Informal) To act like a king; to dominate or assert authority.
Synonyms: dominate, lord over, rule, command, preside
Antonyms: obey, submit, defer, yield
Examples of Use
Books:
"The young prince was destined to become king, a heavy crown awaiting his brow." (From a fictional historical novel, generic example)
"Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'I Have a Dream' speech solidified his legacy as a civil rights king." (From a non-fiction historical account, generic example, metaphorical for leader)
"The lion is often called the king of the jungle." (From a children's book or nature encyclopedia, generic example)
Newspapers:
"The reigning chess king successfully defended his title in a grueling seven-game match." (From a sports section, generic example)
"The pop music king announced his farewell tour, signaling the end of an era." (From an entertainment news report, generic example, metaphorical for dominant figure)
"A rare 17th-century playing card featuring the King of Hearts was discovered in an old deck." (From a human interest story, generic example)
Online Publications:
"Why content is king: strategies for effective digital marketing." (From a business or marketing blog, e.g., HubSpot.com, metaphorical for importance)
"Recipe for the perfect King Crab legs, a truly royal seafood feast." (From a food blog or recipe site, e.g., Allrecipes.com, referring to a type of crab)
"The rise of the streaming king: How Netflix reshaped the entertainment industry." (From a tech or media analysis site, e.g., Variety.com, metaphorical for dominance)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I am the King of the World!" (From Titanic, spoken by Jack Dawson)
Television Series: "Long live the King!" (Common declaration in historical dramas or fantasy series, e.g., Game of Thrones, The Crown)
Music (Song Lyrics): "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock," etc. - Elvis Presley is famously known as "The King of Rock and Roll." (Cultural title, e.g., from biographies or music documentaries)
Video Games: "Your ultimate goal is to defeat the Lich King and save Azeroth." (In-game objective or lore, e.g., World of Warcraft)
Podcasts: "Today's episode delves into the life and legacy of B.B. King, the undisputed king of the blues." (From a music history podcast, generic example)
General Public Discourse:
"He's the king of procrastination; he never gets anything done on time." (Common informal metaphorical use, meaning master)
"Checkmate! I got your king!" (Common exclamation during a chess game)
"My parents bought a new king-size bed." (Common household item description)
"Who's the king of the grill at your barbecues?" (Common informal question, meaning best cook)
"You dropped the King of Spades!" (Common observation during a card game)
10 Famous Quotes Using King
“I am the king of the world!” — Jack Dawson (Leonardo DiCaprio), Titanic (1997)
“The king stay the king.” — D’Angelo Barksdale, The Wire (Season 1, Ep. 3) (Spoken during a chess analogy explaining the drug game hierarchy.)
“It’s good to be the king.” — Mel Brooks, History of the World, Part I (1981)
“A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.” — Psalm 33:16, The Bible (ESV)
“Heavy is the head that wears the crown.” — William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2 (Act III, Scene 1)
“To be a king wearing a crown is more glorious to them that see it than it is pleasure to them that bear it.” — Elizabeth I of England
“The King is dead. Long live the King!” — Traditional proclamation upon the death of a monarch and the immediate succession of another
“A lion doesn’t concern himself with the opinion of sheep. He’s the king of the jungle.” — Often attributed to various public figures, paraphrased from Game of Thrones / Machiavelli-like sentiments
“Elvis Presley is the king of rock and roll, no doubt about it.” — Little Richard
“I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low... and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together. This is our hope... With this faith, we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood.” — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “I Have a Dream” Speech (1963) (While not using “king” in reference to royalty, this quote is from the most famous King in U.S. civil rights history.)
Etymology
The word "king" has a very ancient and deeply rooted history, tracing back to the earliest forms of the Germanic languages. It doesn't come from Latin or Greek, unlike some other English words for rulers (like "emperor" or "monarch").
It comes from the Proto-Germanic word *kuningaz (this is a reconstructed word, meaning linguists have pieced it together based on how words evolved in related languages). The exact origin of kuningaz is debated, but many scholars believe it comes from the Proto-Germanic word *kunja-, which meant "family" or "kin" (related to our modern word "kin"). If this is the case, then a "king" was originally understood as a "leader of the kinship group" or "one born of noble lineage/family."
This Proto-Germanic word then directly evolved into the Old English word "cyning" (pronounced something like "koo-ning"). Over time, the "cyn-" part became just "k" and the suffix "-ing" merged, giving us the modern "king."
So, the first known use and meaning of "king" in English (from its Old English form "cyning"), dating back to before 900 AD, was to refer to a male ruler or sovereign of a territory or tribe. It signified a hereditary head of state, or a supreme leader. This core meaning has remained central throughout its long history.
Phrases + Idioms Containing King
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "king," supplemented as needed:
King of the jungle: The dominant or most powerful figure in a particular domain (originally referring to a lion).
King-size: Very large, especially referring to beds or cigarettes.
King's ransom: A very large sum of money.
King's English: Standard, pure, or correct English.
The King is dead, long live the King!: A traditional proclamation announcing the death of a monarch and the immediate succession of their heir.
To live like a king: To live in luxury and comfort.
To treat someone like a king: To treat someone with great respect and deference.
King's gambit: (Chess term) An aggressive opening move; (figurative) a risky maneuver to gain an advantage.
The uncrowned king: A person who holds great power or influence without holding an official title. (Lesser-known, metaphorical)
To rule the roost: To be in charge or dominant in a group or household. (Synonymous effect for being a "king")
Wear the crown: To hold a position of supreme authority or achievement. (Metaphorical, synonymous with being a king)
Top dog: The most powerful or important person in a group or organization. (Informal synonym)
The monarch of all one surveys: To be the unchallenged ruler of one's domain. (Original phrase, emphasizing dominion)
Holding court: To be the center of attention and receive visitors, as a monarch does. (Idiom, implies a king-like presence)
Master of the domain: Complete control over a specific area. (Original phrase, similar to being a "king" of something)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of king from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
