crown
B1Formal and informal
Definition
Meaning
A circular ornamental headdress worn by a monarch as a symbol of sovereignty.
A representation of royal power or victory; the top or highest part of something; a unit of currency (e.g., Czech crown); a dental restoration covering a tooth; to culminate or honour.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word moves from concrete object (royal headwear) to metaphor for top/highest point/achievement. As a verb, it implies successful completion or honouring.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
As a currency, 'Koruna/Crown' is more commonly referenced in European contexts in British English. The verb 'to crown' is used identically.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'crown' carries strong connotations of authority, achievement, and pinnacle.
Frequency
Comparably frequent; the dental and currency meanings are context-dependent.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
crown [sb] [king/queen/champion]crown [sth] (with [sth])be crowned with [sth]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to crown it all”
- “the crowning glory”
- “a crown of thorns”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Market leader often called 'crown jewel' of a portfolio.
Academic
The 'crown' of a tree in forestry; 'crown' in dentistry.
Everyday
Talking about a king's crown or the crown of your head.
Technical
Dental crown; crown wheel in mechanics; crown (land surveying).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They will crown the new monarch in Westminster Abbey.
- The marathon effort was crowned with success.
American English
- The Lakers were crowned NBA champions.
- A light snowfall crowned the mountain peaks.
adverb
British English
- (Rarely used as adverb; not standard.)
American English
- (Rarely used as adverb; not standard.)
adjective
British English
- The crown estate is managed independently.
- He faced a crown court trial.
American English
- The lawsuit became a crown jewel case for the firm.
- She works for the Crown prosecutor.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The king wears a golden crown.
- The princess has a small crown.
- She was crowned queen in a beautiful ceremony.
- The castle displays the old crown jewels.
- Winning the Oscar was the crowning achievement of her career.
- The hill was crowned with an ancient oak tree.
- The legal battle centred on the crown's prerogative power.
- The conglomerate sold its crown jewel to pay off debts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a CROW sitting on a royal N- shaped sceptre, wearing a tiny crown.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACHIEVEMENT IS RECEIVING A CROWN (e.g., 'crowned champion'); TOP/IMPORTANT PART IS A CROWN (e.g., 'crown of the hill').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'корона' как волосы на голове (это 'hairline' или 'parting').
- Глагол 'to crown' часто означает 'увенчать', а не просто 'короновать'.
- 'Crown' (валюта) переводится как 'крона', но не путать со шведской 'krona'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He got a crown on his tooths.' Correct: '...on his tooth.'
- Incorrect: 'She crowned as the winner.' Correct: 'She was crowned the winner.'
Practice
Quiz
In a business context, what does 'crown jewel' typically refer to?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While its primary meaning is the royal headpiece, it's widely used metaphorically for the top part of anything (head, hill, tooth) and to signify a supreme achievement.
A crown is typically a full circle, worn by monarchs of both genders. A tiara is a semicircular ornament, often worn by women, especially princesses or brides, and is less formal/symbolic of sovereignty.
Yes. It means to place a crown on someone's head ceremonially, or more generally, to be the triumphant culmination of something (e.g., 'The goal crowned a brilliant performance').
Yes. Examples include: imperial crowns (closed with arches), open crowns, coronets for nobility, dental crowns (caps for teeth), and even botanical crowns (the leafy top of a tree).
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