chef
Pluralchefs
Pluralchefs
- 1Any person who cooks food, whether for fun or for a living.
He's a pretty good chef when it comes to weekend breakfasts.
My uncle is the family chef every Thanksgiving.
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- 2The main cook who runs a kitchen, such as in a restaurant.
Like the captain of a team, but the team makes food.
The chef created a new menu for the summer season.
The chef told the line cooks to start on the dinner orders.
UsageSay head chef for the boss of a kitchen.
Note
- 3To cook food for a living in a professional kitchen.
He chefs at a busy downtown restaurant.
I want to chef in a five-star hotel one day.
UsageSay chef at a restaurant. Past form: cheffed.
Similarcook
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Less common meanings
- 4A person who makes illegal drugs.
Police arrested the chef behind the meth operation.
The cartel's chef worked out of an abandoned warehouse.
UsagePeople say meth chef. In serious writing, say manufacturer.
Similarcook
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- 5
- 6To make people feel impressed by what you do.
- 7A container shaped like a head that holds the remains of a saint.
Showing meanings only.
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Origin
This word comes from French chef, meaning 'head' or 'leader', used for the head of a kitchen. It goes back through Old French chief to Latin caput, meaning 'head'.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 4 facts
- English chef comes from French chef. en.wiktionary.org
- French chef means 'head' or 'leader'. en.wiktionary.org
- The French word was used for the head of a kitchen. en.wikipedia.org
- Chef goes back through Old French chief to Latin caput, meaning 'head'. en.wiktionary.org