empress
gb/ˈɛmpɹɛs/ us/ˈɛmpɹɛs/
B2
English
~ 9800
császárnő, császárné, királynő
NOUN
B2
1
császárnő
B2
Usage pattern:
the/a/an empress (of [a place])
As empress of the vast empire, she had the final say on all major decisions.
Mint a hatalmas birodalom császárnője, minden fontos döntésben övé volt a végső szó.
The young empress introduced a series of reforms to modernize her realm.
A fiatal császárnő reformok sorát vezette be, hogy korszerűsítse birodalmát.
Historians still debate how much real power the empress actually held over the imperial government.
In the film, a cruel empress rules her people with fear.
The last empress of the dynasty watched her empire collapse during the war.
Learner examples
The empress ruled the empire for many years.
A császárnő sok éven át uralkodott a birodalmon.
People came from far away to see the new empress.
Az emberek messziről jöttek, hogy lássák az új császárnőt.
The empress made a law to help poor people.
In this story, the empress is kind and wise.
The empress of the land was very powerful.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "queen" when they mean a female ruler of an empire. A queen rules a kingdom, while an empress rules an empire. Learners also sometimes think any emperor’s wife is always a ruler; only an empress who rules in her own right is a sovereign.
Meaning
female ruler of an empire
Collocations
reigning empress
|empress of [country]
|the last empress
|emperor and empress
|empress regnant
|young empress
Synonyms
female emperor (Direct, literal equivalent; slightly longer and more descriptive.)
|
sovereign (Gender-neutral term for the highest ruler of a state; does not specify an empire.)
|
monarch (General term for a king, queen, emperor, or empress; not limited to empires.)
Antonyms
commoner (Someone with no royal rank, the opposite of a supreme ruler.)
|
subject (A person ruled by an empress, rather than the ruler herself.)
Themes
history
|politics
|titles
Definition
A woman who rules an empire as the top leader, like a female emperor.
A woman who is the sovereign ruler of an empire, holding the highest rank of power and authority in that state.
NOUN
B2
2
császárné
B2
Usage pattern:
the/a/an empress (of [a place])
The empress accompanied the emperor on his visit to the provinces.
A császárné elkísérte a császárt a tartományokba tett látogatására.
At court, the empress was known for her grace and generosity.
Az udvarban a császárné kecsességéről és nagylelkűségéről volt ismert.
The emperor and empress appeared on the balcony to greet the cheering crowds.
After the emperor's death, the empress lived quietly in a country palace.
The young empress consort struggled to adjust to the strict rules of the imperial court.
Learner examples
The emperor and the empress walked through the garden.
A császár és a császárné végigsétáltak a kertben.
People bowed when the empress entered the room.
Az emberek meghajoltak, amikor a császárné belépett a terembe.
The empress wore a beautiful gold dress.
The empress smiled at the children in the crowd.
The emperor’s wife became empress when he took the throne.
Common mistake:
Learners often think that an empress is always the main ruler. In many histories, the empress is only the emperor’s wife and does not rule alone. Context or phrases like "empress consort" and "empress regnant" show the difference.
Meaning
wife of an emperor
Collocations
empress consort
|empress dowager
|the empress's palace
|the emperor and empress
|the empress attended the ceremony
|emperor, empress, and their children
Synonyms
emperor's wife (Plain description that makes the relationship clear without using the specific title.)
|
empress consort (More technical title used especially in historical or formal writing.)
Antonyms
emperor (The male ruler himself, contrasted with his wife.)
|
servant (A person of very low status in the palace, the social opposite of the empress.)
Themes
history
|family
|titles
|politics
|relationships
Definition
The wife of an emperor, who has the title empress.
The wife of a reigning emperor, who holds the formal title of empress but does not necessarily rule in her own right.
NOUN
C1
3
királynő
A2
Usage pattern:
[an/the] empress of [field/area]
She became known as the empress of daytime television after hosting the top show for twenty years.
Húsz évig vezette a legsikeresebb műsort, és így a nappali televíziózás királynőjeként vált ismertté.
In the fashion world, the designer is treated like an empress, with everyone seeking her approval.
A divat világában úgy bánnak a tervezővel, mint egy királynővel, és mindenki az ő jóváhagyását keresi.
Critics called her the empress of crime fiction because her novels dominated the bestseller lists.
The magazine crowned her the empress of social media for her massive online influence.
As the self-styled empress of wellness, she built a global lifestyle brand.
Learner examples
The singer is called the empress of pop music.
Az énekesnőt a popzene királynőjének nevezik.
In that city, she is the empress of fashion.
Abban a városban ő a divat királynője.
Many fans see her as an empress of the art world.
Some people call her the empress of business in her country.
The press wrote that she was the empress of cooking shows.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think this use is literal. In phrases like "empress of pop" or "empress of fashion," the woman is not a real ruler; the word is only a strong way to say she is very powerful or successful.
Meaning
very powerful or dominant woman
Collocations
empress of pop
|empress of fashion
|media empress
|empress of daytime TV
|self-styled empress
|business empress
Synonyms
queen (Often used similarly in phrases like "queen of pop"; slightly more common and less formal-sounding than "empress".)
|
diva (Usually used for a famous female singer; can suggest being demanding, not just powerful.)
|
matriarch (Suggests a powerful older woman at the head of a family or group, not necessarily famous in a public field.)
Antonyms
nobody (Informal way to describe someone with no fame or power, the opposite of an "empress" in a field.)
|
unknown (Someone who is not known or recognized, contrasting with a highly visible "empress" figure.)
Themes
media
|people
|metaphor
|core_vocabulary
|business
Definition
A woman called an empress to show that she is very powerful or successful in a certain area.
A woman described as an empress in a particular area or activity because she is extremely powerful, successful, or influential there.
Grammar
Dictionary form
empress
IPA
GB/ˈɛmpɹɛs/
US/ˈɛmpɹɛs/
Syllables & stress
empress (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (empress)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: empress
- Plural: empresses
Word family
Forms
empresses
noun
Related words
imperialism
noun C1
imperialist
noun
Advanced or less common
imperialistic
adjective
Expressions
emperor and empress
1/ˈɛmpɚɚ ˈænd ˈɛmpɹɛs/
fixed phrase
imperial ruling couple
A way to talk about an emperor and the empress together as a couple.
Examples
- The emperor and empress appeared on the balcony to wave to the crowd.
- Gifts were prepared for the emperor and empress before their state visit.
empress consort
1/ˈɛmpɹɛs kˈɑnsɔɹt/
fixed phrase
title for emperor's wife
The official title for the wife of an emperor, who has the rank of empress but does not rule the empire herself.
Examples
- As empress consort, her main duties were ceremonial and charitable.
- The new empress consort was introduced to the public in a grand parade.
empress dowager
1/ˈɛmpɹɛs dˈaʊɪd͡ʒɚ/
fixed phrase
widow or mother of an emperor
The mother or widow of an emperor, who still has the title empress.
Examples
- The empress dowager acted as regent until her grandson was old enough to rule.
- In the drama, the powerful empress dowager controls the court from behind the scenes.
empress regnant
1/ˈɛmpɹɛs ɹˈɛɡnənt/
fixed phrase
female sovereign emperor
An empress who is the real ruler of the empire, not just the emperor’s wife.
Examples
- She is remembered as one of the few empresses regnant in the empire’s long history.
- The law was changed to allow a woman to become empress regnant if there were no sons.