What’s the plural of “chief”?
Chief plural is chiefs. Unlike similar nouns that also end in sibilants and use -ves as a pl. n., chief simply adds an -s to denote its plural noun. In this way, chiefs (pl. n.) is similar to words like cliff, the plural of which is cliffs. Also, proof plural is proofs, and safe: safes.
What’s the singular of chief?
Chief is singular.
What does the word chief mean?
The word chief (sing. n.) is defined as “the person who is the leader of a group of people, of an organization, etc.” Chief is also sometimes used as an adjective, (which makes this word a homophone, or a word that’s pronounced and sounds the same as another word in English, but holds a different meaning.) In its adjectival form, chief means “highest in rank or authority,” and “most important”, as in: he has many concerns, chief among them his health.
Other words ending in -f or -ff / -s
| singular | plural |
|---|---|
| roof | roofs |
| cliff | cliffs |
| proof | proofs |
| chief | chiefs |
| belief | beliefs |
Practice using the verb in different tenses with example sentences to memorize the correct forms.
Examples of the word chief used in sentences
1. The district police chief was also hurt in the attack. Times, Sunday Times (2011)
2. The job went to one of his chief rivals.
3. Highly respected, he was tipped at one point to become lord chief justice.
4. The chief medical officer said she had no plans to stop working and urged others to follow suit if they want to boost their life expectancy. The Sun (2016)
5. This alliance had as its chief purpose heading off popular resistance movements.
Examples of the word chiefs used in sentences
The chiefs rely on their judgment and influence.
On the plain Zarko bumped into one of the army chiefs who normally rode with his father
The third crusade numbered among its chiefs Floris III.
The chiefs were motionless.
Below these came the Eiki or chiefs, and next to them the class called Matapule.
Synonyms for chief
- leading
- main
- preeminent
- prime
- principal
Origin of the word chief
From etymology online on chief (n.),
“c. 1300, “head, leader, captain; the principal or most important part of anything;” from Old French chief “leader, ruler, head” of something, “capital city”.
What’s the difference between they’re, their, and there?
Worksheet
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