conqueror: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, literary, historical.
Quick answer
What does “conqueror” mean?
A person who conquers a place or people.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who conquers a place or people; a victor.
Someone who successfully overcomes a challenge, difficulty, or opponent, not necessarily in a military context (e.g., a disease, a personal flaw, a difficult task).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or meaning differences. Usage frequency and context are identical.
Connotations
Identical connotations of military victory, historical significance, and overcoming challenges.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both dialects, used in similar formal/historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “conqueror” in a Sentence
conqueror of [place/people]the conqueroras a conquerorVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “conqueror” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The army sought to conquer the territory.
- He vowed to conquer his fear of heights.
American English
- The team aimed to conquer their division.
- She worked hard to conquer the challenging material.
adverb
British English
- They advanced conqueringly across the region. (Very rare/archaic)
American English
- (No standard adverbial form in common use)
adjective
British English
- The conquering army established new laws.
- She had a conquering attitude towards the project.
American English
- The conquering hero returned home.
- Their conquering strategy proved effective.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Metaphorical: 'The company aims to be a conqueror in the new market.'
Academic
Common in historical, political, or literary studies: 'The policies of the Norman conqueror reshaped English society.'
Everyday
Very rare. Used metaphorically for personal triumphs: 'She felt like a conqueror after finishing the marathon.'
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside of historical analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “conqueror”
- Misspelling as 'conquerer' (incorrect).
- Using in informal contexts where 'winner' or 'champ' is more appropriate.
- Confusing with 'conquest' (the act or result of conquering).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A 'winner' is successful in a contest or game. A 'conqueror' specifically takes control of something (like land or people) by force, or overcomes a major, oppressive challenge. It implies domination.
No, it is relatively low-frequency and is used primarily in historical, literary, or formal metaphorical contexts. The verb 'conquer' is more common.
He earned this epithet after successfully invading and taking control of England following the Battle of Hastings in 1066.
Yes, metaphorically. You can be a 'conqueror of poverty', a 'conqueror of fear', or a 'conqueror of disease', highlighting a triumphant struggle against a difficult obstacle.
A person who conquers a place or people.
Conqueror is usually formal, literary, historical. in register.
Conqueror: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒŋ.kər.ər/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːŋ.kɚ.ɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To the victor belong the spoils (related concept).”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'CONquerOR' – the one who CONquers. The '-or' ending is like 'actor' or 'director' – a person who does the action.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A BATTLE / A CHALLENGE IS AN OPPONENT ('conqueror of fear', 'conqueror of disease').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely context for the word 'conqueror'?