How to pronounce sovereign
Say it like SOV-run. Sovereign has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce sovereign. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- SOV
- run
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Tip: The g is silent. The word ends like 'rin', so it sounds like 'SOV-rin'.
Sovereign pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- SOVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- runKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of sovereign
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: SOV-rin.
What does sovereign mean?
- (of political bodies) not controlled by outside forces“an autonomous judiciary”“a sovereign state”
- greatest in status or authority or power“a supreme tribunal”
- a nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
Where does sovereign come from?
From Middle English sovereyn, from Old French soverain (whence also modern French souverain), from Vulgar Latin *superānus (compare Italian sovrano, Spanish soberano) from Latin super (“above”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying sovereign
How do you pronounce sovereign?
Say SOV-run. The American pronunciation is /ˈsɑvrən/. In British English it is /ˈsɒvrɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in sovereign?
Sovereign has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (SOV). Broken into parts: SOV · run.
Is sovereign pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈsɒvrɪn/ (SOV-rin).