Overlord
/ˈoʊvərˌlɔrd/
Definitions
A supreme ruler or master, especially one who exercises authority over others.
/ˈoʊvərˌlɔrd/
A supreme ruler or master.
The king was an absolute overlord, making all the decisions.
💡 Simply: Imagine a big boss who's in charge of everyone and everything. An overlord is like that, but usually with a bit more power and often not very nice.
👶 For kids: Someone who is in charge of everyone and has a lot of power. Like the king in a kingdom!
More Examples
The villagers lived in fear of their new overlord.
The corporation acted as an overlord, controlling every aspect of the market.
How It's Used
"The Norman overlords exerted significant control over England after 1066."
"In many science fiction stories, an alien overlord threatens humanity."
"The country lived under the oppressive rule of a foreign overlord."
Idioms & expressions
under the overlordship of
Subject to the rule or authority of an overlord.
"The region was placed under the overlordship of the emperor."
the overlord's grasp
The control or influence exerted by an overlord.
"The villagers struggled to escape the overlord's grasp."
From Middle English *over lord*, a compound of 'over' (meaning 'above' or 'superior') and 'lord'. The word signifies a ruler or superior, especially in a feudal context, and evolved to describe any person or entity with dominant power.
The term has been used in historical contexts to describe feudal lords, emperors, and other rulers with extensive power. It is also used in fictional settings to describe powerful, often tyrannical, figures.
Memory tip
Think of the 'over' as in 'above', and 'lord' as a ruler. An overlord is a ruler above others.
Word Origin
"'over' (above) + 'lord' (ruler)"