chief

/tʃiːf/ (bre, ipa) · [tʃˈif] /tʃiːf/ (ame, ipa) · [tʃˈif] /ˈchēf/ (ame, mw)

chief — adjective

  • chiefpositive
  • chiefercomparative
  • chiefestsuperlative

1. being the most important part, cause, or aim in a situation.

1.形容詞B1
釋義

being the most important part, cause, or aim in a situation.

例句

The chief reason for the delay was a broken water pipe.

collocation: chief reason for [something]

Megan listed safety as the chief concern before the school trip.

同義詞
  • main

    the most neutral everyday choice

  • principal

    more formal and common in official or academic writing

  • primary

    often stresses first importance in order, stage, or function

  • leading

    often suggests strong influence or top status within a field

反義詞
  • secondary

    less important than the main part

  • minor

    small in importance or effect

文法句型

chief reason for [something]

chief concern

chief goal

用法筆記

This sense is usually used before a noun, often with words like reason, concern, goal, or benefit. Distinguish it from sense 2, which is about rank in a title rather than general importance.

常見錯誤

❌This reason is chief.
✅This is the chief reason.
💡this sense normally comes before a noun instead of standing alone after 'be'.

2. having the highest rank in an organization, profession, or official group.

2.形容詞B1
釋義

having the highest rank in an organization, profession, or official group.

例句

Chief Inspector Rao asked every officer to check the station doors.

title pattern: Chief + rank

The chief judge announced the winner after the final round.

同義詞
  • top

    more informal and often used for the highest person in a group

  • senior

    shows higher rank, but not always the very highest

  • lead

    common in modern job titles, especially in workplaces

  • head

    often used for departments or institutions rather than fixed titles

反義詞
  • junior

    lower in rank or experience

  • assistant

    supporting rather than highest-ranking

文法句型

chief + job title

chief editor

chief engineer

用法筆記

This sense usually appears directly before an official title such as judge, engineer, or editor. Distinguish it from sense 1, which describes what is most important rather than who has the highest position.

常見錯誤

❌Nadia is chief in our office.
✅Nadia is the chief editor in our office.
💡use 'chief' directly before the title, not by itself after 'be'.

chief — noun