kingmaker

IPA/ˈkɪŋmeɪkə(r)/
KK[kˈɪŋmˌekɚ]IPA/ˈkɪŋmeɪkər/

kingmaker — noun

  • kingmakersingular
  • kingmakersplural

1. someone who holds enough influence to decide who gets promoted to powerful or le

1.nounC1
Definition

someone who holds enough influence to decide who gets promoted to powerful or leadership roles in a group, company, or political party

Example

Theo became the party's chief kingmaker after helping three candidates win their primaries.

the party's chief kingmaker

Maria earned the title of corporate kingmaker when two of her picks joined the board.

title of corporate kingmaker

Common collocations
  • become a kingmaker
  • kingmaker role
  • kingmaker status
  • act as a kingmaker
  • political kingmaker
  • corporate kingmaker
Synonyms
  • power broker

    emphasises the use of political or financial leverage, often behind the scenes

  • influencer

    broader and weaker; can refer to social media popularity, not necessarily leadership selection

  • kingpin

    means the central figure in an organisation (often criminal), not someone who promotes others

Usage Note

Common in political journalism and business writing. The term originally referred to Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, who played a decisive role in the 15th-century Wars of the Roses in England. Unlike 'king,' the tone is neutral to slightly admiring — it implies skill rather than criticism.

Common Mistakes

He was the kingmaker who ruled the country.
He was the kingmaker who helped put the new leader in power.
A kingmaker does not rule directly; they influence who gets to rule.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All three words describe someone with influence, but each emphasises a different flavour. A 'power broker' works through behind-the-scenes negotiation, often using financial or political capital to strike deals — the focus is on bargaining. An 'influencer' is a much broader term that can cover anyone from a fashion blogger to a thought leader; shaping opinion, not necessarily selecting leaders. A 'kingpin' is the central figure that everyone depends on — think of the boss of a drug cartel or the star player on a basketball team — whereas a 'kingmaker' specifically raises others to power rather than holding it directly. For example: 'The retired general acted as a kingmaker in the election, but he never ran for office himself.' If you replaced 'kingmaker' with 'power broker' the deal-making aspect would be front and centre; with 'influencer' the meaning would become too vague for this political context.

power brokerinfluencer ↗kingpin ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

  • political kingmaker
  • corporate kingmaker
  • party kingmaker
  • chief kingmaker
  • kingmaker role
  • kingmaker status

Phrases

  • act as a kingmaker
  • become a kingmaker
  • be seen as a kingmaker

Prepositions

  • kingmaker in [party/organisation]
  • kingmaker of [group/region]

Etymology

EnglishEnglish

Formed by combining 'king' (the ruler of a country) + 'maker' (someone who creates or installs). The term was first used in 15th-century England for Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick, whose military and political power allowed him to place and remove kings during the Wars of the Roses. Over time the word broadened from literal monarchy to any situation where one person has the influence to appoint leaders.

First known use

1595

1595, in the meaning defined above