Sovereign vs. Viceroy — What's the Difference?

Sovereign is a title which can be applied to the highest leader in various categories. The word is borrowed from Old French souverain, which is ultimately derived from the Latin word superānus, meaning "above".

A viceroy () is an official who runs a polity in the name of and as the representative of the monarch of the territory. The term derives from the Latin prefix vice-, meaning "in the place of" and the French word roy, meaning "king".

A supreme ruler, especially a monarch

A man who is the governor of a country, province, or colony, ruling as the representative of a sovereign.

A former British gold coin worth one pound sterling, now only minted for commemorative purposes.

An orange and black North American butterfly (Limenitis archippus), resembling but somewhat smaller than the monarch.

Possessing supreme or ultimate power

One who governs a country, province, or colony as the representative of a monarch.

Very good or effective

A zongdu.

A king, queen, or other noble person who serves as chief of state; a ruler or monarch.

An orange and black North American butterfly (Limenitis archippus), so named because it is similar to, but smaller than, the monarch butterfly.

A national governing council or committee.

The governor of a country or province who rules in the name of the sovereign with regal authority, as the king's substitute; as, the viceroy of India.

A nation that governs territory outside its borders.

A large and handsome American butterfly (Basilarchia archippus syn. Limenitis archippus). Its wings are orange-red, with black lines along the nervures and a row of white spots along the outer margins. The larvæ feed on willow, poplar, and apple trees.

A gold coin formerly used in Great Britain.

Governor of a country or province who rules as the representative of his or her king or sovereign

Self-governing; independent

Showy American butterfly resembling the monarch but smaller

Having supreme rank or power

Paramount; supreme

Of superlative strength or efficacy

Unmitigated

Exercising power of rule.

Exceptional in quality.

Extremely potent or effective (of a medicine, remedy etc.).

Having supreme, ultimate power.

Princely; royal.

Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.

A monarch; the ruler of a country.

One who is not a subject to a ruler or nation.

A gold coin of the United Kingdom, with a nominal value of one pound sterling but in practice used as a bullion coin.

A former Australian gold coin, minted from 1855–1931, of one pound value.

A very large champagne bottle with the capacity of about 25 liters, equivalent to 3 standard bottles.

Any butterfly of the tribe Nymphalini, or genus Basilarchia, as the ursula and the viceroy.

A large, garish ring; a sovereign ring.

(transitive) To rule over as a sovereign.

Supreme or highest in power; superior to all others; chief; as, our sovereign prince.

Independent of, and unlimited by, any other; possessing, or entitled to, original authority or jurisdiction; as, a sovereign state; a sovereign discretion.

Princely; royal.

Predominant; greatest; utmost; paramount.

Efficacious in the highest degree; effectual; controlling; as, a sovereign remedy.

The person, body, or state in which independent and supreme authority is vested; especially, in a monarchy, a king, queen, or emperor.

A gold coin of Great Britain, on which an effigy of the head of the reigning king or queen is stamped, valued at one pound sterling, or about $4.86.

Any butterfly of the tribe Nymphalidi, or genus Basilarchia, as the ursula and the viceroy.

A nation's ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right

Of political bodies;

Greatest in status or authority or power;