English · Word Candidate

sovereign

/ˈsɒv.ɹɪn/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: sovereigns · sovereigning · sovereigned

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Exercising power of rule.

Adjective

sovereign nation

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).

Meaning · English

Exceptional in quality.

Adjective

Her voice was her sovereign talent.

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).

Meaning · English

A monarch; the ruler of a country.

Noun

The petty ſtreames that paie a dailie det To their ſalt ſoveraigne with their freſh fals haſt, Adde to his flowe, but alter not his taſt.

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).

Meaning · English

One who is not a subject to a ruler or nation.

Noun

Sources & notes

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

What does “sovereign” mean?

Exercising power of rule.

Is “sovereign” formal or informal?

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