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Word a Day

govern

verb · /ˈɡʌvɚn/ · Level 2 · Intermediate

What does govern mean?

govern (verb): to make and administer the public policy and affairs of; to exercise sovereign authority in.

Definition: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

How do you pronounce govern?

/ˈɡʌvɚn/ (IPA, American English). The app reads every word aloud.

Where does govern come from?

From Middle English governen, governe, from Anglo-Norman and Old French governer, guverner.

Etymology: Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Words related to govern

From Princeton WordNet 3.1.

Test yourself: do you know “govern”?

Tap an answer to check it. The same questions the app asks.

What does “govern” mean?

to make and administer the public policy and affairs of; to exercise sovereign authority in

Right! That's what “govern” means.

provoke someone to do something through (often false or exaggerated) promises or persuasion

Not quite: that's what lure means.

to utter a deep guttural sound, as an angry animal; to give forth an angry, grumbling sound

Not quite: that's what growl means.

to make fun of (someone); to goad (a person) into responding, often in an aggressive manner

Not quite: that's what taunt means.

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