chief

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "chief" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a leader or person in charge, often in a formal or professional context. Example: "The chief of the department announced the new policy changes during the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Apple's chief designer Jonathan Ive recently criticised Xiaomi's alleged copying of its iPhone, saying: "It is theft and it is lazy.

The Guardian - Tech

The two supreme court justices thought likely to cast the deciding votes, Anthony Kennedy and the chief justice, John Roberts, appeared deeply sceptical of the government's contention that healthcare regulation is a special case that gives Congress the power to oblige individuals to obtain insurance.

The Guardian

Helen Szoke, chief executive of Oxfam Australia, said her organisation "would have put the reduction of poverty as the first benchmark" in the revamped aid program and was "cautious" about the role of the private sector.

The Guardian

"I would also ask the chief constable, in light of this attack, to revise his position in respect of loyalist paramilitaries who are clearly flouting the terms of their ceasefire.

The Guardian

Until 2009, Turkmenistan's chief gas export partner was Russia.

The Guardian

There was similar scenes moments later in Ballieston, Glasgow East, where Sturgeon cast her vote with her husband and SNP chief executive, Peter Murrell.

The Guardian

That's not what I do as commander in chief".

The Economist

Sheila Scott, chief executive of the National Care Association, which represents many smaller care home providers, said care costs could in many instances be approaching two-thirds of total fees because of the growing dependency of people entering residential care.

The Guardian

First, Amec chief executive Samir Brikho is a boss who buys, and has bought well in the past.

The Guardian

Anthony McIntyre, a former IRA life sentence prisoner and chief researcher on the Belfast project, defended the archive and blamed Boston College for failing to make clear to him and the interviewees that there was a legal treaty that allowed the British state to seize academic material from the United States.

The Guardian

In 2006 Lord Phillips, then lord chief justice, argued that politicians and judges had been pushed into handing down increasingly long sentences in England and Wales.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "chief" as an adjective, ensure it clearly modifies the noun it precedes. For example, "chief concern" or "chief reason".

Common error

Avoid using "chief" as a casual form of address unless the context is clearly humorous or ironic. Using it in formal or unfamiliar settings can sound inappropriate.

Linguistic Context

The word "chief" functions primarily as a noun denoting a leader or head of an organization, as evidenced by Ludwig examples such as "fire chief" and "police chief". It also functions as an adjective meaning principal or main, seen in phrases like "chief cause".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "chief" is a versatile term primarily functioning as a noun or adjective, denoting leadership or primary importance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and widely used. Its usage is very common, particularly in news and formal business contexts. While generally neutral to professional in register, it's crucial to consider the context when using it informally. When considering alternatives, options like "head", "leader", or "principal" can offer nuanced substitutions depending on the intended meaning. Understanding these aspects ensures effective and appropriate use of "chief" in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

head

Focuses on the leadership aspect, representing the person in charge.

leader

Emphasizes the guiding role of the individual.

principal

Highlights the primary or main aspect of something.

main

Similar to "principal", emphasizing importance.

commander

Specifically refers to a leader in a military context.

director

Refers to someone who supervises and controls a company.

manager

Focuses on the administration and supervision of a group or organization.

foremost

Emphasizes being the most important or prominent.

ruling

Focuses on the act of governing or having authority.

premier

Similar to "principal", highlighting the top position.

FAQs

How is the word "chief" typically used?

The word "chief" is used to denote a leader or head of an organization, group, or department. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something as primary or principal. For instance, "chief executive officer" refers to the highest-ranking executive in a company.

What are some synonyms for "chief" when referring to a leader?

When referring to a leader, synonyms for "chief" include "head", "leader", "boss", or "commander", depending on the context. Each alternative carries a slightly different connotation regarding the nature and scope of leadership.

How can I use "chief" in a sentence?

You can use "chief" in a sentence like this: "The "chief" of police announced the new safety initiatives" or "Her "chief" concern was the well-being of her family."

What is the difference between "chief" and "principal"?

"Chief" and "principal" can both mean primary or main. However, "chief" often refers to a person in charge or the most important person in an organization, while "principal" usually refers to the most important thing or aspect. For example, ""chief" executive" vs "principal reason".