There are 234,000 search results on Bing for the misspelling 'Cheif'. 'Cheif' ranks in the top 90 of most common errors caught by TripleChecker, with at least 158 websites containing this mistake.¹
The word 'chief' can function as a noun, an adjective, and a verb. As a noun, it refers to a leader or head of a group. As an adjective, it describes something of highest rank or importance.
Chief
The word 'chief' originates from the Latin word "caput," meaning "head." It entered Middle English from the Old French word "chef," which also means "head" or "leader."
The word 'chief' is pronounced as /tʃiːf/. It rhymes with the word 'beef'.
The word 'chief' can be used in a sentence like, "The chief of the department presented the new policy to the staff." When using 'chief,' it's important to ensure it is spelled correctly and used in the proper context, as it can refer to a leader, a primary component, or an expression of importance, which could vary based on the subject matter being discussed. Additionally, be cautious of its plural form, 'chiefs,' which is used when referring to multiple leaders or heads.