crown prince: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Political, Historical, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “crown prince” mean?
The heir apparent to the throne in a monarchy.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The heir apparent to the throne in a monarchy.
1. A person designated as the next in line to assume a position of leadership or authority in an organisation. 2. A male successor to a title or position of power in a hereditary system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. In the US, the term is used primarily in international reporting about monarchies or in historical/figurative contexts, as the US lacks a hereditary monarchy.
Connotations
In British English, it has direct contemporary relevance due to the British monarchy. In American English, it often sounds more historical or purely referential to foreign states.
Frequency
Higher frequency in British English due to domestic relevance.
Grammar
How to Use “crown prince” in a Sentence
Crown Prince + OF + [Country/Kingdom] (e.g., Crown Prince of Denmark)Crown Prince + [Name] (e.g., Crown Prince Frederik)the + Crown Prince (definite article for specific reference)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “crown prince” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The monarch officially crowned prince his eldest son in a ceremony.
American English
- The board is effectively crowning prince the current CFO as the next CEO.
adjective
British English
- He has a crown-prince demeanour, always prepared for future responsibility.
American English
- The crown-prince status came with intense media scrutiny from a young age.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically for a designated successor to a CEO or founder (e.g., 'He's the crown prince of the corporation').
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and royal succession studies.
Everyday
Used in news reports about royal families or in historical documentaries.
Technical
Specific term in constitutional law and heraldry relating to royal succession rules.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “crown prince”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “crown prince”
- Using it for any prince (must be the designated heir). Confusing 'heir apparent' (cannot be displaced) with 'heir presumptive' (can be displaced by the birth of a closer heir). Incorrect: 'He is a crown prince' when meaning just 'a prince'. Correct: 'He is the crown prince.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'prince' is a royal title, but the 'crown prince' is a specific prince who is the official heir to the throne.
The feminine equivalent is 'crown princess'. In some monarchies, the heir can be female if she is the eldest child.
Yes, it is often used metaphorically in business, politics, or other organisations to refer to a person being groomed to take over a top position.
They are often synonyms. 'Heir apparent' is a broader legal term meaning an heir who cannot be displaced by the birth of another heir. 'Crown prince' is the specific title often given to that heir in a monarchy.
The heir apparent to the throne in a monarchy.
Crown prince is usually formal, political, historical, journalistic in register.
Crown prince: in British English it is pronounced /ˌkraʊn ˈprɪns/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌkraʊn ˈprɪns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “born with a silver spoon in his mouth (related, but not specific)”
- “waiting in the wings (figurative, for succession)”
- “heir to the throne (near-synonymous phrase)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the CROWN being passed to the PRINCE. The two words together form the title of the prince who will wear the crown next.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESSION IS INHERITANCE. LEADERSHIP IS A BLOODLINE. AN ORGANISATION IS A KINGDOM (figurative use).
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative business context, 'crown prince' typically refers to: