reign
gb/ɹˈeɪn/ us/ɹˈeɪn/
B1
English
~ 2200
uralkodik, uralkodás, ural
VERB
B1
1
uralkodik
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone] reigns over [a country]
Queen Elizabeth II reigned over the United Kingdom for more than 70 years.
II. Erzsébet királynő több mint 70 évig uralkodott az Egyesült Királyság felett.
The emperor reigned over a vast empire stretching across continents.
A császár egy hatalmas, kontinenseken átívelő birodalom felett uralkodott.
She reigned as queen until her death in 1714.
The king reigned from the capital city for decades.
During his reign, the country experienced great prosperity.
Learner examples
The king reigned over the land.
A király uralkodott az ország felett.
She reigned as queen for many years.
Sok éven át királynőként uralkodott.
He reigned until he died.
The queen reigned from her palace.
The emperor reigned over many people.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'reign' (to rule) with 'rein' (a strap to control a horse).
Meaning
Rule as a monarch
Collocations
reign over
|reign supreme
|reign for years
Synonyms
rule (More general; can refer to any leader, not just a monarch.)
Antonyms
abdicate (To give up the throne or position of power.)
Themes
politics
|history
Definition
To be the king, queen, or leader of a country and have power over it.
To hold royal office and exercise the powers of a king, queen, or emperor.
NOUN
B1
2
uralkodás
B1
Usage pattern:
the reign of [someone]
The reign of Queen Victoria lasted for 63 years.
Viktória királynő uralkodása 63 évig tartott.
His reign was marked by peace and economic growth.
Uralkodását béke és gazdasági növekedés jellemezte.
Historians study the reign of ancient kings to understand their societies.
The short reign of the young prince ended suddenly.
During her reign, the arts flourished.
Learner examples
The reign of the king was long.
A király uralkodása hosszú volt.
Her reign was full of change.
Uralkodása sok változást hozott.
The reign of the queen was peaceful.
His reign lasted ten years.
We learned about the reign of the emperor.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'reign' as a noun with 'region', which refers to an area of land.
Meaning
Period of a monarch's rule
Collocations
long reign
|short reign
|the reign of Henry VIII
Synonyms
rule (Can mean the act or period of governing; less formal in historical contexts.)
Antonyms
interregnum (A period without a ruler between reigns.)
Themes
politics
|history
|time
Definition
The years when a king or queen is in power.
The time during which a king, queen, or emperor holds power.
VERB
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[something/someone] reigns in/over [a field/area]
In the world of fashion, she continues to reign supreme.
A divat világában továbbra is ő uralkodik.
Chaos reigned in the city after the blackout.
Az áramszünet után káosz uralkodott a városban.
For decades, that company has reigned over the tech industry.
He reigned unchallenged in the boxing ring.
In this town, tradition still reigns.
Learner examples
She reigns in the music world.
Ő uralja a zene világát.
That team reigns in football.
Az a csapat uralja a futballt.
He reigns as the top player.
This brand reigns in fashion.
They reign in their industry.
Common mistake:
Some learners mistakenly think this sense always refers to royalty, but it can be metaphorical for dominance.
Meaning
Be most powerful in an area
Collocations
reign supreme
|still reigns in
|reign unchallenged
Synonyms
dominate (More general and common in non-royal contexts.)
Antonyms
lose influence (To no longer be the most important or powerful.)
Themes
competition
|business
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To be the strongest or most important person or thing in an area or activity.
To be the most important, powerful, or influential in a particular place or situation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reign
IPA
GB/ɹˈeɪn/
US/ɹˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
reign (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (reign)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: reign
- Plural: reigns
Verb
- Base: reign
- 3rd Person Singular: reigns
- Present Participle: reigning
- Past: reigned
Word family
Forms
reigns
noun
reigning
verb
reigned
verb
Expressions
chaos reigns
1/kˈeɪɑs ɹˈeɪnz/
fixed phrase
Disorder dominates a place/situation
When there is a lot of disorder and no control somewhere.
Examples
- Chaos reigns in the streets after the protest.
- When the teacher left, chaos reigned in the classroom.
reign supreme
1/ɹˈeɪn supɹˈim/
fixed phrase
Be the best or most important
To be better or more important than all others.
Examples
- In this restaurant, traditional dishes still reign supreme.
- She has reigned supreme in the sport for over a decade.