monarch

/'mɑːnərk, 'mʌnərk/ (noun)

Origin

From Late Latin monarcha, from Ancient Greek μονάρχης (monárkhēs), from μόνος (mónos) "alone" + ἄρχω (árkhō) "to rule"

Meanings

1. A sovereign head of state, especially a king, queen, or emperor
2. A person or thing that holds a dominant position
3. (zoology) A large orange and black butterfly (Danaus plexippus)

Example Sentences

1. Queen Elizabeth II was Britain's longest-reigning monarch.
2. The lion is considered the monarch of the jungle.
3. Monarch butterflies migrate thousands of miles each year.

Related Words

• Forms:

  • monarchic (adj.)
  • monarchical (adj.)
  • monarchy (n.)
  • monarchism (n.)
  • monarchist (n.)

• Synonyms:

  • sovereign
  • ruler
  • crown
  • royalty
  • king/queen

Memory Tricks

1. Break it down: mon (alone/single) + arch (rule) = "single ruler"
2. Think "MON-arch": The person who rules on MONday and every other day
3. Picture a crowned figure sitting alone (mon-) on top of an arch (-arch)