noun
monarch
MO-nuhk
noun
1
A king, queen, emperor, or other hereditary ruler who is head of state.
"The monarch opened parliament with a formal speech."
"Under the constitution, the monarch has largely ceremonial powers."
2
A large orange-and-black butterfly (Danaus plexippus) known for its long migrations.
"Monarch butterflies travel thousands of miles to their wintering grounds in Mexico."
How to Use Monarch
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA hereditary ruler such as a king or queen, or the well-known migratory orange butterfly.
Common pairings
reigning monarch
monarch butterfly
absolute monarch
Word Forms
monarchs plural, Monarchs plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “monarch”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ opened parliament with a formal speech.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek monárkhēs, "sole ruler," combining mónos ("alone") and arkhós ("leader").