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chieftain

chief·tain
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [cheef-tuh n, -tin]
    • /ˈtʃif tən, -tɪn/
    • /ˈtʃiːf.tən/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [cheef-tuh n, -tin]
    • /ˈtʃif tən, -tɪn/

Definitions of chieftain word

  • countable noun chieftain A chieftain is the leader of a tribe. 3
  • noun chieftain the head or leader of a tribe or clan 3
  • noun chieftain the chief of a group of people 3
  • noun chieftain a chief or leader, esp. of a clan or tribe 3
  • noun chieftain the chief of a clan or a tribe. 1
  • noun chieftain a leader of a group, band, etc.: the robbers' chieftain. 1

Information block about the term

Origin of chieftain

First appearance:

before 1275
One of the 13% oldest English words
1275-1325; Middle English cheftayne, variant of chevetaine < Old French < Late Latin capitāneus captain

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Chieftain

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

chieftain popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 86% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

chieftain usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for chieftain

noun chieftain

  • bigwig — If you refer to an important person as a bigwig, you are being rather disrespectful.
  • boss — Your boss is the person in charge of the organization or department where you work.
  • headEdith, 1897–1981, U.S. costume designer.
  • ruler — a person who rules or governs; sovereign.
  • leader — a person or thing that leads.

Antonyms for chieftain

noun chieftain

  • follower — a person or thing that follows.

Top questions with chieftain

  • what is a chieftain?
  • what does chieftain mean?
  • what does the word chieftain mean?
  • what is the meaning of chieftain?

See also

Matching words

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