Chief

Quick meaning: Chief is a noun meaning The leader or head of a tribe, organisation, business unit, or other group.

Meaning

The leader or head of a tribe, organisation, business unit, or other group.

More Meanings

1. (uncountable, only with "in") Headship, the status of being a chief or leader.
2. The principal part or top of anything.
3. (sometimes ironic) An informal term of address.
4. Primary; principal.
5. (Scotland) Intimate, friendly.
6. (heraldry) The top part of a shield or escutcheon; more specifically, an ordinary consisting of the upper part of the field cut off by a horizontal line, generally occupying the top third.
7. (slang) To smoke cannabis.

Example Sentences

Bob is our troubleshooter in chief.

All firefighters report to the fire chief.

Negligence was the chief cause of the disaster.

“How old are you, chief?” the elevator guy said.

Word Forms

• chiefs
• chiefer
• chiefest
• chiefing
• chiefed

Synonyms for chief

Depending on context, synonyms include chieftain, leader, head, director, commander, governor.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include honcho, boss, foreman, principal, main, primary.

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