chief
n. · adj.-
1 a leader (n.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe person who is in charge of a group, a tribe, or a department.
the head or leader of an organized body of people, such as a tribe, a police force, or a business unit.
ExampleThe fire chief arrived at the scene to coordinate the rescue efforts.
ExampleThe tribal chiefs gathered for a summit to discuss land rights and environmental protections for their ancestral territories.
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2 informal address (n.) C1 Advanced Informal British Englishan informal way to address a man, sometimes used in a friendly or slightly rude way.
a colloquial form of address, often used ironically or to assert a casual dominance; it can be perceived as patronizing or offensive in certain cultural contexts.
ExampleExcuse me, chief, do you have the time?
ExampleThe shopkeeper's use of 'chief' felt slightly condescending to the younger customers, though he likely intended it as a friendly gesture.
Teacher's tipIn North America, using this as a casual address to an Indigenous person is considered highly offensive and should be avoided.
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3 most important (adj.) B2 Upper Intermediatethe most important or main part of something.
principal or most important in rank, importance, or influence.
ExampleThe chief reason for the delay was the heavy snow on the tracks.
ExampleThe chief architect of the project argued that structural integrity must take precedence over aesthetic flourishes.
UsageUsually placed before the noun it modifies.
From Middle English cheef, chef, from Old French chef, chief (“leader”), from Vulgar Latin capus, from Latin caput (“head”) (from which also captain, chieftain), from Proto-Italic kaput, from Proto-Indo-European káput. Doublet of cape (“point of land”), capo, caput, and chef through Latin (possibly also related to cape (“sleeveless garment”) and cap (“head covering”) from Latin cappa); doublet of head and Howth through Proto-Indo-European.