Reign, Rein and Rain All Sound Alike
To reign is to rule as a monarch. Two identical-sounding words cause constant confusion in writing.
To reign is to rule as a monarch, and a reign is the period of that rule. Three words share the sound and none share a root: *reign* is from Latin *regnum*, a kingdom; *rein* is the strap for controlling a horse, from Latin *retinere*, to hold back; *rain* is Old English weather. The common error is *free reign* — the correct phrase is *free rein*, from letting a horse run without restraint. *Reign supreme* and *rein in* are the two idioms most often swapped.
- To rule. *She reigned for sixty years.*
- A period of rule. *The reign of Elizabeth.*
- Rein — a horse's strap. *Free rein.*
- Rain — water from the sky. *Heavy rain.*
- Latin — *regnum*, a kingdom. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb | reign | She reigns. |
| Past | reigned | Reigned. |
| Noun | reign | A long reign. |
| Homophone | rein | Free rein. |
| Homophone | rain | Rain. |
- He reigned for forty years.Rule.
- Give the project free rein.Horses, not kings.
- They reined in spending.Restraint.
Which word in which phrase
- Free rein — unrestricted freedom, from loosening a horse's reins
- Rein in — to restrain, same image
- Reign supreme — to rule over all
- Reign of terror — a period of rule marked by fear
- Take the reins — to take control, again from horses
Old French *reigne*, from Latin *regnum*, a kingdom, from *rex*, king.
Is it free rein or free reign?
Free rein. The image is a horse allowed to run without the reins being pulled, not a monarch ruling freely.
Are reign and rein related?
No. Reign comes from Latin regnum, a kingdom; rein comes from retinere, to hold back.