Words / B1

CHEEF/tʃiːf/

Chief as an adjective means main: the chief reason; chief executive (job title). As a noun it means a leader. Main and principal are close; principal is also a school head (spelling mix-up with principle). Do not write “chiefest”. In UK companies, chief executive is more common than CEO in some reports, though both appear.

Meaning

Most important; as a noun, the leader of an organisation or group.

Examples

• “The chief reason for the delay was a shortage of staff.”
• “The chief reason for the delay was a shortage of drivers.”
• “The chief executive resigned after the profits warning.”

Good to know

the chief + noun (main). Job: chief executive. Close: main. Mix-up: principle vs principal. No “chiefest”.

Near in meaning

main

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