French word

chef

Pronunciation

IPA/ʃɛf/

Meaning

  • masculine nounboss

Example

Mon chef est en réunion.

My boss is in a meeting.

Illustration for chef (boss)

More examples

Mon chef m'a demandé de finir le rapport.

My supervisor asked me to finish the report.

Core concept

The central leader who stands above a team or runs the kitchen's work.

Common phrases

  • mon chef

    my supervisor

  • le chef de projet

    project manager

  • son chef direct

    their immediate supervisor

Similar words

patron: A person who runs a business or shop and makes final hiring and policy decisions.
supérieur: A workplace superior who gives instructions and evaluates performance.
responsable: A person responsible for managing a specific task or department.
directeur: A manager who sets policy and oversees a company or department.

Definition in French

Personne ayant l'autorité sur d'autres au travail ; selon le contexte, le terme peut évoquer un supérieur hiérarchique ou un chef cuisinier.

Word origin

Chef derives from Old French chief and ultimately Latin caput, 'head', with the leadership sense extending to a person in charge, including in cooking.

Usage tips

  • The construction chef de service identifies a department head, whereas chef alone takes its meaning from the surrounding context.

Other meanings

  • head chefnoun
  • cooknoun

Opposites

  • subordonnésubordinatenoun
  • employéemployeenoun

Word lists with this word