regent

regent — adjective

IPA/ˈriː.dʒənt/
KK[rˈidʒənt]IPA/ˈriː.dʒənt/
  • regentpositive
  • more regentcomparative
  • most regentsuperlative

1. used after a formal title such as 'prince' or 'queen' to indicate that the perso

1.adjectiveC1
Definition

used after a formal title such as 'prince' or 'queen' to indicate that the person runs the country for a short period because the official monarch is too young, too ill, or away.

Example

The Prince Regent made several changes to the royal court while his father was unwell.

postpositive placement: Prince + Regent

Queen Regent Maria governed the kingdom for twelve years until her son came of age.

Common collocations
  • Prince Regent
  • Queen Regent
  • Duke Regent
  • Princess Regent
Synonyms
  • acting

    broader term; used for any temporary role, not just royal contexts

  • provisional

    describes a temporary arrangement in government or business, not tied to monarchy

Antonyms
  • permanent

    regent rule is by definition temporary

Grammar Patterns

title + regent

Usage Note

The adjective is always placed after the title it modifies, never before it ('Regent Prince' is incorrect). The noun it attaches to is almost always a royal title.

Common Mistakes

The regent prince took control.
The Prince Regent took control.
'regent' as an adjective comes after the title, not before it.

regent — noun

IPA/ˈriːdʒənt/
KK[rˈidʒənt]IPA/ˈriːdʒənt/

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

A regent is a temporary substitute for a monarch — they hold power only until the rightful king or queen can take over. A monarch (king or queen) rules for life and inherits the position, whereas a regent is appointed, not born into the role. Ruler is the broadest term: it covers any person who governs a country, whether a monarch, a president, or a dictator. Sovereign is similar to monarch but emphasises supreme and independent authority; a regent never holds sovereignty, only the temporary exercise of power. Governor refers to the head of a region or colony, not a substitute for the monarch. For example, a governor runs a province on behalf of a central government, while a regent runs the entire kingdom on behalf of the absent monarch.

regent ↗monarch ↗ruler ↗sovereign ↗governor ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • act as regent
  • serve as regent
  • appoint someone regent
  • board of regents

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinMiddle EnglishEnglish

From Latin 'regens' (present participle of 'regere' — to rule, direct, or guide), via Middle English. The word entered English in the 1400s, first used as an adjective meaning 'ruling'. The noun sense referring to a temporary monarch appeared soon after, and the university-board sense developed in 19th-century America.