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

There are tons of quirky original ideas here, too, from a young chef's knife and finger guard set to a rotating collection of stuffies like an anglerfish or beetroot. —Medea Giordano, WIRED, 25 Nov. 2023

Then, use a large chef's knife to trim one to two inches off the ends of the stalks. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 1 Mar. 2024

Whoever impresses judges Brian Malarkey and Lee Anne Wong, wins his opponent's favorite chef's knife, $10,000 and lifetime bragging rights. —Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 6 Jan. 2024

On a cutting board, use a chef's knife to slice the head in half through the core. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Feb. 2024

Mueller Mandoline Slicer for $24 ($11 off) Amazon In addition to a chef's knife, the mandoline is an essential kitchen tool (especially if you're overwhelmed by larger knives). —Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 20 Jan. 2024

Save your hands from painful nicks and cuts by using a sharp chef's knife or mandoline when slicing the potatoes. —Anna Theoktisto, Southern Living, 24 Dec. 2023

The easiest way to trim asparagus is to line up the entire bundle of asparagus by the ends, then use a large chef's knife to trim about one inch off the end of the spears. —Jessica Hanners, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2023

Get comfortable with a chef's knife to make these tasks feel quick and easy. —Andrea Beck, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Oct. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1893, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chef's knife

noun

: a large kitchen knife with a triangular blade