c-r-o-w-n
CROWN is a ceremonial headpiece symbolizing sovereignty, the top part of the head or tooth, or the act of achieving the highest position. Also a British coin worth five shillings.
10
Points in Scrabble
Base tile values • No multipliers applied
CROWN embodies power, achievement, and glory across human civilization. This ancient symbol of sovereignty has evolved from literal headpiece to metaphorical pinnacle, from dental terminology to monetary denomination. Whether adorning monarchs, capping teeth, or describing life's highest achievements, crown represents the apex of hierarchy, the completion of effort, and the visible manifestation of authority that has shaped kingdoms and cultures for millennia.
As a royal regalia, a crown is an ornamental headdress worn by monarchs as a symbol of sovereignty. Crowns typically feature precious metals (gold, silver, platinum) adorned with jewels, representing both wealth and divine authority. Different types include the coronation crown (used in ceremonies), state crown (for official functions), and consort crown (for queens consort). Each design element carries meaning: crosses represent Christianity, fleurs-de-lis symbolize purity, arches denote imperial power, and specific gems hold national significance.
Anatomically, crown refers to the top portion of the human head where hair typically grows in a circular pattern. This "crown of the head" marks the highest point of the skull, often the site of male pattern baldness's beginning. In dentistry, the crown is the visible part of a tooth above the gum line, covered in enamel—the hardest substance in the human body. Artificial dental crowns, caps placed over damaged teeth, represent one of dentistry's oldest restorative procedures, dating back to ancient Etruscan civilization.
The verb "to crown" carries multiple powerful meanings. In literal terms, it means to place a crown upon someone's head, investing them with regal power—a ceremony laden with religious and political significance. Metaphorically, crowning represents achieving the highest position: "crowned champion," "crowning achievement," "crowning glory." The word also describes the moment of birth when a baby's head first becomes visible, linking sovereignty with life's beginning.
In British currency, the crown was a coin worth five shillings (quarter of a pound), first minted in 1526 under Henry VIII. Though no longer in regular circulation, commemorative crowns are still produced for special occasions. The coin's large size made it impractical for everyday use but perfect for ceremonial gifts. Modern British five-pound coins are the crown's direct descendants, maintaining the tradition of special-issue coinage.
Botanically, crown describes a tree's upper branches and foliage—the leafy top that captures sunlight for photosynthesis. Forest canopy layers are defined by crown positions: emergent (crowns above canopy), canopy (main crown layer), understory (crowns below canopy). A tree's crown shape—spreading, pyramidal, columnar—helps identify species and indicates environmental adaptations. "Crown shyness," where tree crowns avoid touching, creates stunning geometric patterns visible from below.
For Scrabble players, CROWN offers solid scoring potential with its 10-point base value. The W tile contributes 4 points while C adds 3, making strategic placement crucial. The word's common letters and familiar spelling increase playability. Its potential for pluralization (CROWNS), past tense (CROWNED), and compound forms (UNCROWN) provides flexibility. The balanced consonant cluster CR- and common -OWN ending create numerous hooking opportunities with words like CROW, GROWN, and FROWN.
The word "crown" traces a regal path through Romance languages, carrying the weight of empire and sovereignty from ancient Rome to modern English. From Latin "corona," meaning "wreath" or "garland," the word entered Old French as "corone," arriving in Middle English as "coroune" by the 12th century. This linguistic journey parallels the crown's evolution from simple plant circlet to elaborate symbol of absolute power.
The Latin "corona" originally meant any circular ornament, particularly wreaths of laurel, oak, or olive awarded to victors and heroes. Roman generals received the "corona triumphalis" during triumph processions. Different coronae marked different achievements: "corona civica" (oak leaves) for saving citizens, "corona muralis" (castle-shaped) for scaling enemy walls, "corona navalis" (ship prows) for naval victory. This system of symbolic circles laid the foundation for medieval crown symbolism.
The Indo-European root *sker- meaning "to turn, bend" gave rise to Latin "curvus" (curved) and "circus" (circle), connecting "corona" to the fundamental concept of circularity. This root appears across Indo-European languages in words for circular objects and movements:
The transition from "wreath" to "royal crown" occurred during medieval times as European monarchies solidified. By 1300, "crown" specifically meant a monarch's headpiece, distinct from other circular ornaments. This semantic narrowing reflected political reality—as kingdoms centralized, the crown became the supreme symbol of unified authority. The phrase "the Crown" as metonym for royal authority appeared by 1400.
Dental and anatomical meanings developed later. "Crown of the head" appeared in medical texts by 1400, drawing obvious parallels to a crown's position. Dental usage emerged in the 1800s as dentistry professionalized, using "crown" for the tooth's visible portion and later for artificial caps. These extensions show how powerful metaphors migrate from political to bodily domains.
The monetary crown (1526) took its name from the French "écu à la couronne" (shield with crown), which bore the royal crown image. This naming pattern—coins called after their imagery—appears worldwide. The British crown's value of five shillings made it a substantial coin, befitting its regal name.
Modern English preserves crown's versatility through numerous compounds and phrases: crown prince, crown jewels, crown court, crown land, crown colony. Each preserves the core meaning of supreme authority while adapting to different contexts. The verb form has expanded metaphorically: crowning achievements, crowning glory, crowning moment—all suggesting that reaching the top is a form of coronation.
Across civilizations, crowns represent the divine right to rule. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs wore the double crown uniting Upper and Lower Egypt. Medieval European coronations occurred in cathedrals with holy oil, establishing monarchs as God's earthly representatives. This sacred dimension made crown jewels religious relics as much as state regalia. Even secular modern monarchies retain coronation's religious elements, reflecting the crown's enduring spiritual significance.
Crown jewels embody national history and identity. Britain's Crown Jewels in the Tower of London include St. Edward's Crown (coronations) and the Imperial State Crown (state occasions), featuring historic gems like the Cullinan Diamond and St. Edward's Sapphire. These aren't mere ornaments but physical manifestations of continuity—the Black Prince's Ruby has adorned English crowns since 1367. Similar collections exist worldwide: Iran's Pahlavi Crown, Russia's lost Romanov treasures, Thailand's Great Crown of Victory.
Crowns became targets during democratic revolutions. French revolutionaries melted royal crowns as symbols of oppression. The execution of Charles I saw Parliament literally and figuratively topple the crown. Yet crowns persist in constitutional monarchies, transformed from symbols of absolute power to cultural heritage. Modern coronations emphasize service over sovereignty, reflecting democracy's influence on ancient traditions.
From beauty pageant tiaras to Burger King's paper crowns, democratized crown imagery permeates culture. "The Crown" Netflix series renewed fascination with royal life. Gaming's "crown" achievements mark supremacy. Tooth "crowns" promise restored beauty. Birthday crown traditions make everyone royal for a day. This popularization both diminishes and reinforces crown symbolism—everyone can wear a crown, but real crowns remain extraordinary.
Plural Form
crowns
The museum displayed ancient crowns.
Past Tense
crowned
They crowned her Miss Universe.
Present Participle
crowning
The crowning ceremony begins at noon.
Negative Form
uncrown
Parliament sought to uncrown the king.
Related Terms
Most precious possessions
Greatest accomplishment
Heir to throne
Best feature; finest aspect
"The ancient crown, discovered in the tomb after three millennia, still gleamed with gold and precious stones, testament to the pharaoh's eternal power."
"As the archbishop placed the heavy crown upon her head, she felt the weight of a thousand years of history and responsibility settling onto her shoulders."
"The crown jewels were moved to a secret location during the war, their protection deemed essential to national morale and identity."
"Winning the championship was the crowning achievement of her career, validation of twenty years of dedication and sacrifice."
"The startup crowned a decade of innovation by going public, its founders' vision finally recognized by the market."
"He was crowned world chess champion at just sixteen, the youngest ever to claim the title in the game's long history."
"The dentist recommended a crown for the cracked molar, explaining that the porcelain cap would restore both function and appearance."
"From the forest floor, she gazed up at the tree crowns forming a green cathedral overhead, sunlight filtering through gaps in the canopy."
Total base points: 10 (Scrabble)
Vowels: 1 (O) | Consonants: 4 (C, R, W, N)
High-value letters: W (4 pts), C (3 pts)
Related plays from CROWN:
💡 Tip: Save CROWN for late game when W multipliers open up!
Crown vs. Tiara
Crown circles head; tiara is semicircular
Crown vs. Coronet
Crown for monarchs; coronet for nobility
The Crown (institution)
Refers to monarch and government
KING
Male monarch
QUEEN
Female monarch
THRONE
Royal seat
ROYAL
Of the monarchy
REIGN
Period of rule
JEWEL
Precious stone
Other valuable words containing W in Scrabble
Practice unscrambling letters to find more high-scoring words like CROWN