sun king: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, historical, literary
Quick answer
What does “sun king” mean?
A nickname for King Louis XIV of France, derived from his association with the sun as a symbol of absolute power and centrality.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A nickname for King Louis XIV of France, derived from his association with the sun as a symbol of absolute power and centrality.
Metaphorically, any dominant or central figure in a specific domain, likened to the sun's position in the solar system.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use it primarily in historical contexts.
Connotations
Carries connotations of absolutism, grandeur, and historical significance in both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in British English due to historical education emphasis, but overall rare in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “sun king” in a Sentence
as the sun kingreferred to as the sun kingthe sun king's legacyknown as the sun kingVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used; occasionally in metaphorical references to dominant CEOs or companies.
Academic
Common in historical, literary, and cultural studies discussing Louis XIV or absolutism.
Everyday
Infrequent; mostly in educational or metaphorical contexts.
Technical
Used in historical discourse; not applicable in scientific fields.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sun king”
- Not capitalizing 'Sun King' when referring to Louis XIV.
- Using it to describe any king without the metaphorical or historical connotation.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The Sun King refers to King Louis XIV of France, who reigned from 1643 to 1715 and was known for his absolute power and association with the sun.
He adopted the sun as his personal emblem to symbolize his role as the center of the French state, much like the sun is the center of the solar system.
Yes, but primarily in historical contexts or as a metaphor to describe a dominant figure in fields like business or politics.
Capitalize as 'Sun King' when referring specifically to Louis XIV; in metaphorical uses, it can be lowercase unless treated as a proper noun.
A nickname for King Louis XIV of France, derived from his association with the sun as a symbol of absolute power and centrality.
Sun king is usually formal, historical, literary in register.
Sun king: in British English it is pronounced /sʌn kɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /sʌn kɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “live like the sun king (to live lavishly or with great authority)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the sun as the king of the sky, and Louis XIV as the king who made himself the center of France, just like the sun.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS CENTRALITY; THE RULER IS THE SUN
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary reference of 'sun king'?