King
/kɪŋ/
Definitions
3 meaningsThe male ruler of an independent state, inherited through the family line.
/kɪŋ/
A male monarch, the ruler of a kingdom.
The king ruled the kingdom with wisdom and justice.
💡 Simply: Imagine a leader who has control over a whole country, like a boss who gets to make all the big decisions. This person, usually a man, is a 'king'!
👶 For kids: A king is a person who rules a country. He wears a crown and lives in a castle.
More Examples
The king's coronation was a grand ceremony.
The queen's son became the new king after her death.
How It's Used
"King Arthur was a legendary British leader."
"The king's decree changed the laws of the land."
"The king is the most important piece in chess."
A playing card with the image of a king on it.
/kɪŋ/
A playing card with the image of a king.
He laid down the king of spades to win the trick.
💡 Simply: In card games like poker or bridge, there's a card with a picture of a king on it. This card is called a 'king'. It's usually one of the more important cards in the deck!
👶 For kids: In a deck of cards, the king is a picture of a king on a card!
More Examples
She needed a king to complete her flush.
The king of hearts is often considered a lucky card.
How It's Used
"The king is a high-value card in poker."
To install a person as the king/queen of a state.
/kɪŋ/
To make someone a king, or crown them king or queen.
The people kinged their leader to show their power.
💡 Simply: To declare someone a king or queen, to give them that title.
👶 For kids: To make someone a king or queen.
More Examples
The general was kinged after the conquest.
In some societies, family members are kinged when their parents die.
How It's Used
"The people kinged their leader to establish their sovereignty."
Idioms & expressions
King's ransom
A very large sum of money.
"The company spent a king's ransom to acquire the smaller firm."
King-sized
Very large, especially in size.
"They ordered a king-sized pizza."
King of the Hill
The person or thing that is most dominant in a situation.
"After winning three straight games, the team is now the king of the hill."
From Old English cyning, derived from *kuningaz, a Proto-Germanic term for 'ruler of a people.' Related to the word 'kin,' suggesting a leader tied to lineage and the tribe.
Historically, kings were often considered divine rulers, and their power was absolute in many societies.
Memory tip
Think of a crown and scepter. The king holds power.
Word Origin
"ruler, leader"