chief

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chief is on the Basic English 850 List.

chest - chief - chin

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /tʃiːf/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular chief

Plural chiefs

1. (countable) A leader or respected elder in a tribe.

   They came to the chief to resolve their dispute.

2. (countable) The head of an organization.

   All firefighters report to the fire chief.

Adjective

Positive chief

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. The chief thing is the primary or principal thing.

   The chief cause of his death was cancer.

Related words and phrases

• chief of staff
• chieftain
• commander in chief
• fire chief
• police chief
• war chief