Sovereign
adjective / noun /ˈsɒv.rɪn/ — Possessing supreme authority; completely independent
Definition
Possessing supreme or ultimate power — as an adjective, completely self-governing and independent of external control. As a noun, a king or queen.
Beyond the definition
Authority that answers to nothing above itself. To be sovereign is to be the final authority — the place where legitimacy rests and stops.
Origin & history
From Old French 'soverain', from Vulgar Latin 'superanus' (above) — from Latin 'super' (above). Literally, the one who is over everything.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
The sovereign power of a state is its ability to make final decisions within its own territory.
She had a sovereign composure that meant nothing reached her — no crisis disturbed the surface.
Sovereignty over one's own time is one of the least discussed but most significant forms of freedom.
How to use it
Follow this entry’s examples for grammatical form and sentence placement.
Choose “Sovereign” when the meaning fits your context: Possessing supreme or ultimate power — as an adjective, completely self-governing and independent of external control. As a noun, a king or queen.
Synonyms
supreme, paramount, absolute, independent, autonomous
Antonyms
subject, dependent, subordinate
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Stone Griffin Guardian
A weathered stone griffin sculpture with eagle wings and lion body guards a bridge, projecting an aura of permanent and independent power.
The griffin's role as the supreme guardian of a domain serves as a visual analogy for ultimate, self-governing power that exists independently of external control.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Sovereign" mean?
Sovereign is adjective / noun meaning: Possessing supreme authority; completely independent. Possessing supreme or ultimate power — as an adjective, completely self-governing and independent of external control. As a noun, a king or queen.
Where does the word "Sovereign" come from?
From Old French 'soverain', from Vulgar Latin 'superanus' (above) — from Latin 'super' (above). Literally, the one who is over everything.