figurehead
Translation
nominal leader, puppet, ship's figurehead
Examples
The queen is just a figurehead.
The queen is just a figurehead.
The ship had a beautiful wooden figurehead.
The ship had a beautiful wooden figurehead.
Grammar Patterns
((a/the)) figurehead a person with apparent but no real authority. The queen is just a figurehead.
Similar Words
Synonyms: puppet, nominal leader, symbol
Etymology
From "figure" (shape) + "head" (front). Originally a carved figure on a ship's bow.
Memory Tips
Imagine a head that is just a figure, with no real power.