Crowned vs. King — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 23, 2024
"Crowned" refers to the act of placing a crown on someone's head, symbolizing authority or achievement, while "King" is a title for a male monarch or ruler of a kingdom.
Difference Between Crowned and King
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The term "crowned" is associated with the ceremony or action of placing a crown upon someone's head, signifying the attainment of a high status or the completion of a significant achievement. On the other hand, "King" is a specific royal title used for a male sovereign head of state, typically hereditary in monarchies.
When someone is crowned, it is often a formal event that marks the beginning of their reign as king, queen, or other royal titles. Whereas, a king is already a person who holds that position, whether or not the crowning ceremony has yet occurred.
Crowning can apply to various contexts beyond monarchy, such as being crowned the winner in a competition, implying recognition of excellence. In contrast, the term "King" specifically refers to a ruler and does not extend to metaphorical or non-royal contexts.
The act of being crowned can be a once-in-a-lifetime ceremonial event that marks a significant transition or honor. On the other hand, being a king is an ongoing role that involves responsibilities and governance over a nation or territory.
Historical and cultural significance also differs; "crowned" carries various meanings and symbolism across different cultures, including religious and secular contexts. Conversely, the title "King" has specific historical and cultural connotations tied to the royal lineage and governance.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Act of placing a crown as a symbol of authority
Title for a male monarch
Context
Ceremonies, achievements
Monarchy, royal governance
Usage
Broad (literal and metaphorical)
Specific (royal and leadership)
Duration
Momentary event
Long-term position
Symbolism
Authority, achievement, transition
Sovereignty, heritage, power
Compare with Definitions
Crowned
Marks significant life events or transitions.
Crowned at the festival, she represented her community.
King
Used in chess to denote the most important piece.
Protecting your king is crucial in the game.
Crowned
Can imply the granting of a special status or honor.
He was crowned the leader of the project.
King
Found in expressions denoting dominance in a field.
He is known as the king of jazz.
Crowned
Used metaphorically to denote victory or achievement.
The team was crowned champions after their victory.
King
A male monarch and supreme ruler of a territory.
King Charles ascended the throne last year.
Crowned
Also found in religious contexts, symbolizing spiritual authority or sanctity.
The saint was crowned with glory in the texts.
King
Cultural and media references as a title for influential male figures.
Elvis Presley was popularly known as the King of Rock.
Crowned
To officially place a crown on someone's head during a ceremony.
She was crowned queen in a lavish ceremony.
King
Appears in card games, representing one of the face cards.
He drew a king to complete his royal flush.
Crowned
An ornamental circlet or head covering, often made of precious metal set with jewels and worn as a symbol of sovereignty.
King
King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king.
Crowned
The power, position, or empire of a monarch or of a state governed by constitutional monarchy.
King
A male sovereign.
Crowned
The monarch as head of state.
King
One that is supreme or preeminent in a particular group, category, or sphere
"In many countries, soccer is the king of sports" (Cameron W. Barr).
Crowned
A distinction or reward for achievement, especially a title signifying championship in a sport.
King
A man chosen as the winner of a contest or the honorary head of an event
A homecoming king.
Crowned
Something resembling a diadem in shape.
King
Abbr. K A playing card bearing the figure of a king, ranking above a queen.
Crowned
A coin stamped with a crown or crowned head on one side.
King
Abbr. K The principal chess piece, which can move one square in any direction and must be protected against checkmate.
Crowned
Abbr. cr. A silver coin formerly used in Great Britain and worth five shillings.
King
A piece in checkers that has been moved to the last row on the opponent's side of the board and been crowned, thus becoming free to move both forward and backward.
Crowned
Any one of several coins, such as the koruna, the krona, or the krone, having a name that means “crown.”
King
Kings(used with a sing. verb) See Table at Bible.
Crowned
The top or highest part of the head.
King
A king-size bed.
Crowned
The head itself.
King
Principal or chief, as in size or importance.
Crowned
The top or upper part of a hat.
King
Of or relating to a king-size bed
King sheets.
A king bed skirt.
Crowned
The highest point or summit.
King
To make (a piece in checkers) into a king; crown.
Crowned
The highest, primary, or most valuable part, attribute, or state
Considered the rare Turkish stamp the crown of their collection.
King
A male monarch; a man who heads a monarchy. If it is an absolute monarchy, then he is the supreme ruler of his nation.
Henry VIII was the king of England from 1509 to 1547.
Crowned
The part of a tooth that is covered by enamel and projects beyond the gum line.
King
A powerful or majorly influential person.
Howard Stern styled himself as the "king of all media".
Crowned
An artificial substitute for the natural crown of a tooth.
King
Something that has a preeminent position.
In times of financial panic, cash is king.
Crowned
(Nautical) The lowest part of an anchor, where the arms are joined to the shank.
King
A component of certain games.
Crowned
(Architecture) The highest portion of an arch, including the keystone.
King
(chess) The principal chess piece, that players seek to threaten with unavoidable capture to result in a victory by checkmate. It is often the tallest piece, with a symbolic crown with a cross at the top.
Crowned
The upper, spreading part of a tree or shrub.
King
(card games) A playing card with the letter "K" and the image of a king on it, the thirteenth card in a given suit.
Crowned
The part of a plant, usually at ground level, where the stem and roots merge.
King
A checker (a piece of checkers/draughts) that reached the farthest row forward, thus becoming crowned (either by turning it upside-down, or by stacking another checker on it) and gaining more freedom of movement.
Crowned
The persistent, mostly underground base of a perennial herb.
King
The central pin or skittle in bowling games.
Crowned
See corona.
King
A king skin.
Oi mate, have you got kings?
Crowned
The crest of an animal, especially of a bird.
King
A male dragonfly; a drake.
Crowned
The portion of a cut gem above the girdle.
King
A king-sized bed.
Crowned
To put a crown or garland on the head of.
King
(graph theory) A vertex in a directed graph which can reach every other vertex via a path with a length of at most 2.
Crowned
To invest with regal power; enthrone.
King
To crown king, to make (a person) king.
Crowned
To confer honor, dignity, or reward upon.
King
To rule over as king.
Crowned
To surmount or be the highest part of.
King
To perform the duties of a king.
Crowned
To form the crown, top, or chief ornament of.
King
To assume or pretend preeminence (over); to lord it over.
Crowned
To bring to completion or successful conclusion; consummate
Crowned the event with a lavish reception.
King
To promote a piece of draughts/checkers that has traversed the board to the opposite side, that piece subsequently being permitted to move backwards as well as forwards.
Crowned
(Dentistry) To put a crown on (a tooth).
King
To dress and perform as a drag king.
Crowned
(Games) To make (a piece in checkers that has reached the last row) into a king by placing another piece upon it.
King
A Chinese musical instrument, consisting of resonant stones or metal plates, arranged according to their tones in a frame of wood, and struck with a hammer.
Crowned
(Informal) To hit on the head.
King
A chief ruler; a sovereign; one invested with supreme authority over a nation, country, or tribe, usually by hereditary succession; a monarch; a prince.
Kings will be tyrants from policy, when subjects are rebels from principle.
There was a State without king or nobles.
But yonder comes the powerful King of Day,Rejoicing in the east
Crowned
To reach a stage in labor when a large segment of the fetal scalp is visible at the vaginal orifice. Used of a fetus.
King
One who, or that which, holds a supreme position or rank; a chief among competitors; as, a railroad king; a money king; the king of the lobby; the king of beasts.
Crowned
Simple past tense and past participle of crown
King
A playing card having the picture of a king{1}; as, the king of diamonds.
Crowned
Wearing a crown.
King
The chief piece in the game of chess.
Crowned
(often in combinations) Having a particular crown (top part of the head)
King
A crowned man in the game of draughts.
Crowned
(obsolete) Great, supreme; completed; excessive.
King
The title of two historical books in the Old Testament.
Crowned
Having or wearing a crown; surmounted, invested, or adorned, with a crown, wreath, garland, etc.; honored; rewarded; completed; consummated; perfected.
With surpassing glory crowned.
King
To supply with a king; to make a king of; to raise to royalty.
Those traitorous captains of Israel who kinged themselves by slaying their masters and reigning in their stead.
Crowned
Great; excessive; supreme.
King
A male sovereign; ruler of a kingdom
Crowned
Having an artificial crown on a tooth;
Had many crowned teeth
King
A competitor who holds a preeminent position
Crowned
Crowned with or as if with laurel symbolizing victory
King
A very wealthy or powerful businessman;
An oil baron
Crowned
Provided with or as if with a crown or a crown as specified; often used in combination;
A high-crowned hat
An orange-crowned bird
A crowned signet ring
King
Preeminence in a particular category or group or field;
The lion is the king of beasts
King
United States woman tennis player (born in 1943)
King
United States guitar player and singer of the blues (born in 1925)
King
United States charismatic civil rights leader and Baptist minister who campaigned against the segregation of Blacks (1929-1968)
King
A checker that has been moved to the opponent's first row where it is promoted to a piece that is free to move either forward or backward
King
One of the four playing cards in a deck bearing the picture of a king
King
(chess) the weakest but the most important piece
Common Curiosities
Who can perform the act of crowning?
The act of crowning is usually performed by a significant religious or political figure, such as a bishop, priest, or another monarch.
Can the title of "King" be inherited?
Yes, in most traditional monarchies, the title of "King" is inherited, passing from one generation to the next, typically through the male line.
What are some ceremonies associated with kings aside from crowning?
Kings often participate in various state ceremonies, including state openings, official visits, and national holidays.
What is the historical origin of kingship?
The concept of kingship dates back to ancient times and can be traced to early civilizations like Egypt and Mesopotamia, where kings were often seen as divine or semi-divine figures.
How is a king addressed formally?
A king is formally addressed as "Your Majesty" or "His Majesty."
What does the crowning ceremony involve?
A crowning ceremony typically includes the formal placement of a crown on the individual's head, along with various traditional rites and rituals specific to the culture or country.
Is the crowning of a king legally binding?
In monarchies, the crowning of a king often has legal and constitutional significance, marking the official start of his reign.
What is the difference between being crowned and being enthroned?
Being crowned refers specifically to the placement of a crown during a ceremony, while being enthroned refers to the act of formally sitting on the throne, symbolizing the monarch's assumption of full sovereign powers.
What role does a king play in modern government systems?
In contemporary constitutional monarchies, a king often serves a symbolic role, acting as a non-political head of state, in contrast to elected officials who handle governmental functions.
What symbols are associated with a king and his crowning?
Symbols commonly associated with kings and crowning include the crown, scepter, orb, and throne, each representing different aspects of sovereignty and governance.
How does a king's role vary in different countries?
The role of a king can vary widely, from purely ceremonial with no real political power, as in many European countries, to significant political influence or absolute rule, as seen in some Middle Eastern and African nations.
Can a king abdicate, and if so, under what circumstances?
Yes, a king can abdicate, which typically happens due to personal reasons, health issues, or political pressure.
Are there any common misconceptions about kings and their power?
A common misconception is that all kings wield absolute power; however, in many modern contexts, kings have limited or ceremonial powers, with real political authority resting in other branches of government.
Are there any countries that have reintroduced monarchy after being a republic?
Yes, several countries have reinstated monarchies after periods as republics, such as Spain in 1975 when the monarchy was restored after the death of Francisco Franco.
How do succession laws work if there is no direct heir?
If there is no direct heir, succession laws may dictate the nearest relative as the successor, or the parliament or a similar governing body might decide on a successor.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
