what a king

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a king" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express admiration or appreciation for someone's qualities or actions, often in a celebratory or informal context. Example: "After he stood up for his friend in that tough situation, I thought to myself, what a king!"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

What a king and what a queen!

The New Yorker

What a king my father was, strapping himself next to my brother and zooming off into the darkness.

The New York Times - Travel

"Lost" explored strikingly King-like territory, in a manner that will remind any King fan of "The Langoliers"; similarly, the criminally underappreciated "Fringe" — my pick for the best science-fiction show of the past decade — suggests what a King story might look like if it were untethered from some of his usual touchstones (addiction, mental illness, New England) and given a mad-science spin.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

When I wake up, I will tell them what a magnificent king I dreamt of".

The New York Times - Books

In Act 1 (pp 3-70), he depicts the centuries that led up to the expected Messiah and spells out what a promised king would have meant to a Jewish people under foreign rule.

Huffington Post

I think they both have to learn a certain humility and that's really what a great king needs is to be humble, to listen to his people, to be willing to compromise, and they start off as these sort of angry teenagers, and become kings at the end".

Wikipedia

What is a "king pair" and who is the only ever other Australian to get one?

The Guardian

Common policies are wanted before, not after, an individual member of the partnership runs amok to the loss of all.So much for the ministers; what about a king?

The Economist

What's a king to a god?" This serves as an invitation to Jay-Z — or Hova, as in Jay-Hova, as in Jehovah — who explains the situation in his first verse: "Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy laid beats, Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out of your seats".

The New Yorker

What's a king to a god?" This serves as an invitation to Jay-Z or Hova, as in Jay-Z or, as in JeHovah—who explasns the sinuation in his first verse: "Jesus was a carpenter, Yeezy laid beats, Hova flow the Holy Ghost, get the hell up out of your seats".

The New Yorker

What can a king do with his power?

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a king" to express admiration or appreciation for someone's admirable qualities or actions, especially when they display leadership, generosity, or strength.

Common error

Avoid using "what a king" in highly formal or professional settings where a more serious or respectful tone is required. Opt for phrases like "what a leader" or "what an outstanding individual" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what a king" functions primarily as an exclamatory expression. It's used to convey admiration, approval, or appreciation for someone, often likening their behavior or qualities to those associated with a benevolent or powerful ruler. Ludwig AI confirms this with several real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a king" is an exclamatory phrase used to express admiration, approval, or appreciation, often likening someone's qualities to those of a benevolent ruler. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct and most common in informal contexts, primarily in news and media, while also used in wiki and business settings. The phrase's intended function is to convey strong positive sentiment. While appropriate in many situations, it's important to be mindful of the context, avoiding overuse in overly formal settings where alternatives like "what a leader" or "what a champion" might be more suitable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a queen

Highlights someone is the female counterpart of a king.

what a monarch

Synonymous with "king", referring to a single ruler.

what a sovereign

Similar to "king", but emphasizes supreme power or authority.

what a leader

Emphasizes leadership qualities instead of royalty.

what a ruler

Focuses on the act of governing rather than inherent status.

what a champion

Highlights someone's victorious or outstanding achievements.

what a boss

Emphasizes a position of authority, but is more informal.

what a master

Focuses on skills and talent, but lacks the royal connotation.

what a figurehead

Highlights someone is only the appearance of having the power but another one is in charge.

what a legend

Highlights the fact that one is famous for something in particular, but nothing to do with leadership or royalty.

FAQs

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

"What a king" is typically used as an exclamation to express admiration or praise for someone's actions or qualities. For example, "He donated a large sum to charity; what a king!"

What are some alternative ways to say "what a king"?

Alternatives include "what a leader", "what a champion", or what a sovereign depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "what a king" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "what a king" is generally considered informal and may not be suitable for formal writing. Consider using more formal alternatives depending on the context.

What's the difference between "what a king" and "what a leader"?

"What a king" implies a sense of royalty, authority, and perhaps generosity. "What a leader" emphasizes someone's ability to guide and inspire others, without the connotation of inherited power.