sheik
11 synonyms for sheik, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A leader of an Arab family, village, 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.
Etymology
From Arabic šayḵ, meaning "elder." The now-dated "romantic lover" sense in English comes from the 1921 Hollywood film The Sheik.
Full origin of sheik →Frequently asked questions
What does “sheik” mean?
The word “sheik” means a leader of an Arab family, village, or tribe. In plain terms, a respected leader or elder in Arab or Islamic communities, whether tribal, religious, or civic.
How do you pronounce “sheik”?
“Sheik” is pronounced shayk (/ʃeɪk/ in IPA).
How do you use “sheik” in a sentence?
Here is “sheik” used in a sentence: “The local sheik mediated the dispute between the two families.”
What part of speech is “sheik”?
“Sheik” is a noun.
Where does the word “sheik” come from?
The word “sheik” dates back to around 1921 and comes from Arabic. From Arabic šayḵ, meaning "elder." The now-dated "romantic lover" sense in English comes from the 1921 Hollywood film The Sheik.
Is “sheik” a common word?
“Sheik” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “sheik” have?
“Sheik” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a leader of an Arab family, village, or tribe.
Related words
sheikha
