monarch
gb/mˈɑnˌɑɹk/ us/mˈɑnˌɑɹk/
B1
English
~ 3500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
King or queen of a country
A king or queen who leads a country.
Usage pattern:
[monarch] of [a country]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'monarch' with 'monarchy'. 'Monarch' is the person; 'monarchy' is the system of government.
Synonyms
sovereign (More formal and can refer to any supreme ruler, not only kings or queens.)
|
ruler (A more general term for someone in charge of a country or territory.)
Antonyms
subject (Refers to a person under the authority of a monarch, the opposite social position.)
Collocations
absolute monarch
|constitutional monarch
|reigning monarch
|hereditary monarch
Themes
politics
|history
|society
|law
Examples
- The monarch addressed the nation during the annual ceremony.
- Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving British monarch.
- The country's monarch has limited powers under the constitution.
- A new monarch was crowned after the previous king's death.
Learner examples
- The monarch lives in the palace.
- The monarch is the leader of the country.
- The people saw the monarch in the parade.
- The monarch wears a crown.
Noun
B2
entity
2
Large orange-black butterfly
A big orange and black butterfly that travels long distances.
Common mistake:
Some learners may not realize 'monarch' can refer to an insect as well as a ruler.
Synonyms
Danaus plexippus (Scientific name used in biological contexts.)
Collocations
monarch butterfly
|migrating monarchs
|monarch caterpillar
Themes
nature
|animals
Examples
- We saw a monarch butterfly resting on the flower.
- Monarchs migrate thousands of miles every year.
- The garden was full of monarch caterpillars.
- Monarch populations are declining due to habitat loss.
Learner examples
- I saw a monarch butterfly in the park.
- The monarch butterfly is orange and black.
- Many monarch butterflies fly south in winter.
Grammar
Dictionary form
monarch
IPA
GB/mˈɑnˌɑɹk/
US/mˈɑnˌɑɹk/
Syllables & stress
mon - arch (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (mon)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: monarch
- Plural: monarchs
Word family
Forms
monarchs
noun
Core family
monarchy
noun B2
Related words
monarchical
adjective
monarchist
noun
Advanced or less common
monarchism
noun
Expressions
monarch of the glen
1/mˈɑnˌɑɹk əv ðə ɡlˈɛn/
fixed phrase
literary
Symbolic stag of Scottish Highlands
A famous picture or idea of a large male deer as the ruler of the Scottish countryside.
Examples
- Tourists often see the 'Monarch of the Glen' in Scottish art shops.
- The painting 'Monarch of the Glen' has become an icon of Scotland.