chef's knife

noun

: a knife used for preparing food

especially : a large, general-purpose kitchen knife usually 8 to 10 inches long that has a blade curving upward along its length and ending in a narrow point

The chef's knife, usually 8 inches long, is … the workhorse of the kitchen. It is used for chopping, slicing, and dicing a variety of foods.

—Consumer Reports

Examples of chef's knife in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This chef's knife from Mac earned a Forever Award in our 2025 Gear of the Year Awards for its clean cuts and comfortable grip. —Adam Campbell-Schmitt, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Dec. 2025

This knife is heavier, longer, and wider than other standard chef's knives, with a hybrid edge shape for versatile tasks. —Molly Higgins, Wired News, 22 Nov. 2025

This 14-piece knife set comes with a variety of knives, including a chef's knife, Santoku knife, a bread knife, a paring knife, six steak knives, and more. —Gabriela Izquierdo, Southern Living, 20 Nov. 2025

Using a sharp chef's knife, slice off the stems. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for chef's knife

• alewife
• birdlife
• folklife
• housewife
• jackknife
• loosestrife
• midlife
• midwife
• nightlife
• penknife
• wildlife
• afterlife

Kids Definition

chef's knife

noun

: a large kitchen knife with a triangular blade