king in waiting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "king in waiting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is poised to take on a leadership role or position of power, often in a political or royal context. Example: "The prince has been groomed for years to become the next king, and he is truly a king in waiting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

The greatest vineyards are described as "Le Roi — the King: Le Chambertin; La Reine — the Queen La Romanée-Conti Romanée-Conti— the King in waiting: Le Musigny".

The New York Times

"A man who is a king, or a king in waiting, is always fretting," she said.

The New York Times - Arts

Jimmy is Prince Hal, a king in waiting, roistering among low company, a brawler who will eventually show his true colors.

The New Yorker

Ruth doesn't know that Seretse is an African king in waiting, leader-to-be of the Bamangwato people of Bechuanaland (later Botswana), the British protectorate to which he is due to return on completion of his studies.

The Guardian - Film

The cast of 55 from Canada and Britain will also include James Loye as Frodo, the ring bearer; Michael Therriault as Gollum; Evan Buliung as Aragorn, the king in waiting; Richard McMillan as the wizard Saruman; and Peter Howe as Sam, Frodo's faithful friend.

The New York Times

Duncan appears to have been tánaise ríg, the king in waiting, so that far from being an abandonment of tanistry, as has sometimes been argued, his kingship was a vindication of the practice.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

As merely the king-in-waiting he is a constitutional nonentity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Charles was actually a king-in-waiting, he had not yet been consecrated and his claims were contested by many in France as well as by the English.

The Guardian - Books

George, wearing knee-length, light-blue socks, smart shoes and a white and blue shirt with a naval feel to it, looked like a Victorian king-in-waiting.

The Guardian - Opinion

His performance there was immensely impressive: relaxed, confident and good-humoured – exactly what you'd hope for from the king-in-waiting.

The Guardian - Sport

Jamie Dimon's status as king-in-waiting at Citigroup came from his long-standing reputation as "adopted son" of Sandy Weill, joint boss (with John Reed) of the new megabank.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "king in waiting" when you want to emphasize the anticipation or expectation surrounding someone's future leadership role, particularly in contexts related to royalty, politics, or business.

Common error

Avoid using "king in waiting" in contexts where the individual's succession is uncertain or contested. The phrase implies a high degree of certainty about their future role.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "king in waiting" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or an appositive. It identifies someone in line for a monarchy. Ludwig AI indicates this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "king in waiting" is a noun phrase used to describe someone expected to assume a position of power, typically in a monarchical or leadership context. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is considered grammatically correct and usable in English. While often associated with royalty, the phrase can also be applied metaphorically in business or politics. While "king in waiting" is not very common, it appears most frequently in News & Media. Related phrases include "heir apparent" and "crown prince", offering alternative ways to express the idea of future leadership. When using this phrase, ensure the individual's succession is reasonably certain to maintain accuracy and relevance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

heir apparent

Focuses on the legal or formally recognized successor.

crown prince

Specifically refers to the heir to a monarchy.

presumptive successor

Highlights the expectation of future succession.

future leader

General term emphasizing leadership potential.

leader-to-be

Emphasizes the impending assumption of leadership.

next in line

Focuses on the order of succession.

successor designate

Highlights a formal designation for succession.

designated heir

A more specific term indicating someone chosen as heir.

rising star

Implies potential and upward trajectory towards leadership.

heir presumptive

Differs slightly from 'heir apparent', implying succession can be displaced.

FAQs

What does "king in waiting" mean?

The phrase "king in waiting" refers to someone who is expected or destined to become king in the future. It often implies a period of preparation or anticipation before they assume the throne.

How can I use "king in waiting" in a sentence?

You can use "king in waiting" to describe someone who is next in line for a position of power. For example: "The prince has been groomed for years and is seen as the "king in waiting".

What are some alternatives to "king in waiting"?

Alternatives to "king in waiting" include "heir apparent", "crown prince", or "presumptive successor", depending on the specific context.

Is "king in waiting" only used in royal contexts?

While often used in royal contexts, "king in waiting" can also be applied metaphorically in business or political situations to describe someone expected to take over a leadership role. For example: "He was seen as the "king in waiting" at the company after years of dedicated service."