English · Word Candidate

colonel

/ˈkɜː.nl̩/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: colonels · coloneling · colonelling · coloneled

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A commissioned officer in an armed military organization, typically the highest rank before flag officer ranks (generals). It is generally found in armies, air forces or naval infantry (marines).

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

sĩ quan chỉ huy trong một tổ chức quân sự, thường là cấp bậc cao nhất trước cấp bậc chỉ huy lá cờ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

The colonel and his sponsor made a queer contrast: Greystone long and stringy, with a face that seemed as if a cold wind was eternally playing on it. […] But there was not a more lascivious reprobate and gourmand in all London than this same Greystone.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A military leader, distinct from the modern professional military rank.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

người lãnh đạo quân sự, khác với cấp bậc sĩ quan chuyên nghiệp hiện đại

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

General Charles-Maximilian Fiennes was made colonel of the army.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

To act as or like a colonel.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

hành động như hoặc giống như một sĩ quan chỉ huy

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Verb

Examples

Then did Sir Knight abandon dwelling, And out he rode Colonelling.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

The military officer title.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

chức danh sĩ quan quân đội

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Noun

Examples

Consequently the necessity for the reorganization of the Guard, during the ten months’ absence of yourself and Colonels Smith and Banks, could not have been averted under our present Military Code.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “colonel” mean?

A commissioned officer in an armed military organization, typically the highest rank before flag officer ranks (generals). It is generally found in armies, air forces or naval infantry (marines).

Is “colonel” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.