chief
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for chief, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The leader or head of a group, organization, or tribe.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use chief
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Ultimately from Latin caput ("head"), by way of Old French chief — making "chief" a distant cousin of "captain," "cap," and even "head" itself.
Full origin of chief →Frequently asked questions
What does “chief” mean?
The word “chief” means the leader or head of a group, organization, or tribe. In plain terms, the person in charge of a group, or, as an adjective, the main or most important thing.
How do you pronounce “chief”?
“Chief” is pronounced cheef (/t͡ʃiːf/ in IPA).
How do you use “chief” in a sentence?
Here is “chief” used in a sentence: “The fire chief arrived first at the scene.”
What is another word for “chief”?
Words with a similar meaning to “chief” include chieftain.
What part of speech is “chief”?
Depending on how it is used, “chief” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “chief” come from?
The word “chief” comes from Latin. Ultimately from Latin caput ("head"), by way of Old French chief — making "chief" a distant cousin of "captain," "cap," and even "head" itself.
Is “chief” a common word?
“Chief” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “chief” have?
“Chief” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the leader or head of a group, organization, or tribe.
What is the difference between a chief and a chef?
Though they sound similar, the words differ completely. A chief is the leader or head of a group, tribe, or organization. A chef is a professional cook who runs a kitchen. The overlap isn't accidental: 'chef' comes from the French 'chef de cuisine,' meaning 'head of the kitchen,' so both trace back to 'head.'
What is the difference between a chief and a boss?
A chief is the highest-ranking leader of a group, tribe, or department, and the word often appears in formal titles like Chief of Police. A boss is anyone who supervises you at work, whether your immediate manager or an owner. Every chief is a kind of boss, but not every boss is a chief.
What are examples of the word 'chief'?
'Chief' appears throughout job titles and ranks: Chief Executive Officer, Chief of Staff, fire chief, police chief, and Commander-in-Chief. It also names traditional leaders, as in a tribal chief. In each case it marks the person at the top, the one holding overall authority and responsibility.