chief

[cheef]

noun

1. the head or leader of an organized body of people; the person highest in authority.

   the chief of police.

2. the head or ruler of a tribe or clan.

   an Indian chief.

3. U.S. Army.,  Chief, a title of some advisers to the Chief of Staff, who do not, in most instances, command the troop units of their arms or services.

   Chief of Engineers;

   Chief Signal Officer.

4. Informal: Sometimes Offensive.,  boss or leader.

   We'll have to talk to the chief about this.

5. Heraldry.

   1. the upper area of an escutcheon.

   2. an ordinary occupying this area.

adjective

1. highest in rank or authority.

   the chief priest;

   the chief administrator.

   Antonyms: subordinate

2. most important; principal.

   his chief merit;

   the chief difficulty.

   Synonyms: paramount, prime, leading, foremost, cardinal

adverb

1. Archaic.,  chiefly; principally.

chief

/ tʃiːf /

noun

1. the head, leader, or most important individual in a group or body of people

2. another word for chieftain

3. heraldry the upper third of a shield

4. primarily; especially

adjective

1. (prenominal)

   1. most important; principal

   2. highest in rank or authority

adverb

1. archaic,  principally

Sensitive Note

See powwow.

Other Word Forms

• chiefless adjective
• chiefship noun
• subchief noun
• underchief noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of chief¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Anglo-French chief, chef, Old French chef, from unattested Vulgar Latin capum, re-formation of Latin caput head

Word History and Origins

Origin of chief¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin caput head

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. in chief,

   1. in the chief position; highest in rank (used in combination).

      editor in chief; commander in chief.

   2. Heraldry. in the upper part of an escutcheon.

Synonym Study

See capital ¹.

Example Sentences

Joseph Schnitt, acting deputy chief at the DOJ’s Office of Enforcement Operations, made a series of claims about the case while on a Hinge date he believed to be real.

From Salon

"The initial reaction suggests markets are focused on Fed rate cuts rather than concerns about a cooling economy," said Ellen Zentner, chief economic Strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

From BBC

"It is clear there is a need to maintain and improve these important buildings whilst also enhancing the environmental sustainability of these venues," said Dafydd Rhys, chief executive of the Arts Council of Wales.

From BBC

The removal of the de minimis rule will have a "significant impact" on Lululemon's earnings as it will disrupt its US e-commerce shipments, the firm's chief financial officer Meghan Frank said in an earnings call.

From BBC

While awaiting final decisions from Denmark and Sweden, the Babcock chief welcomed the success of rival firm BAE Systems in winning the Norwegian order.

From BBC

Related Words

• captain 
• commander 
• director 
• head 
• leader 
• manager 
• ruler 
• superintendent 
• supervisor