sheik
Sheik (noun) means a leader of an Arab family, village, or tribe. Example: “The local sheik mediated the dispute between the two families.”
How to use sheik
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA respected leader or elder in Arab or Islamic communities, whether tribal, religious, or civic.
Also commonly spelled "sheikh" — both spellings are widely accepted.
Word forms
sheiks plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The local _____ mediated the dispute between the two families.
Etymology
From Arabic šayḵ, meaning "elder." The now-dated "romantic lover" sense in English comes from the 1921 Hollywood film The Sheik.
Synonyms
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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.
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