# overlord

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈəʊvə(ɹ)lɔː(ɹ)d/ · frequency rank #28,316

## Definitions
1. A ruler of other rulers.
2. A feudal lord directly owed rent or personal service by a tenant of subinfeudated land, a tenant's liege lord.
3. Anyone with overarching power or authority in a given domain.

## Etymology
From Middle English oferrlaferrd, orlard, our-lord, ouyr-lord, equivalent to over- + lord.

## Easily confused with
- **overwork** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overlord-vs-overwork)
- **overlook** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overlook-vs-overlord)
- **overload** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overload-vs-overlord)
- **overland** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overland-vs-overlord)
- **overlaid** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overlaid-vs-overlord)
- **overboard** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/overboard-vs-overlord)

## Common misspellings (12)
`oevrlord`, `ovelrord`, `overllord`, `overlodr`, `overlordd`, `overlorrd`, `overlrod`, `overolrd`, `overrlord`, `ovrelord`, `ovverlord`, `voerlord`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/overlord