sultan

noun sool-TAHN Rare

Origin: Arabic sultān (ruler, power)

Usage Note

Sultan refers to a Muslim sovereign, historically the ruler of the Ottoman Empire or various regional Muslim states. In French, the word is also used figuratively to describe someone who lives lavishly or maintains a harem-like domestic arrangement, though such usage is often ironic or archaic. The feminine sultane (f) refers to the sultan's consort.

Examples

"Le sultan accueillait ses visiteurs dans un palais immense."

Natural Translation

The sultan welcomed his visitors in an enormous palace.

Related Words

Explore French by topic

FrenchNow

Aller + Infinitive: The Easy French Future

Form the French near future in seconds: conjugate aller in the present and add an infinitive. Learn futur proche rules, negation, pronouns, and when to use it.

June 4, 2026 6 min read

FrenchNow

French Silent Letters: The CaReFuL Rule

Final consonants in French are silent by default — except C, R, F, L. The CaReFuL rule, the silent -e, the plural-s trap, and liaison, explained simply.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Adjective Placement: Before or After the Noun?

French adjectives usually follow the noun, but a small common set goes before it — and a few change meaning depending on which side they sit. Here's the rule.

June 4, 2026 5 min read

FrenchNow

French Numbers 1 to 100: Count With Confidence

French numbers 1 to 100 in one complete chart, with pronunciation, the et-un rule, hyphens, and the four-twenties system explained so you can count anywhere.

June 4, 2026 6 min read