chef

noun

ˈshef 

plural chefs

1

: a skilled professional cook

a trained chef

specifically : one who is in charge of a professional kitchen

I wrote to the chef of an acclaimed New American restaurant on the Upper East Side about my food experiences. He invited me to spend a few days in the kitchen on a trial basis.

—Adam Shatz

2

: cook

chef intransitive verb

chefdom

ˈshef-dəm 

noun

Synonyms of chef

• cook
• baker

Examples of chef in a Sentence

The hotel's chef trained at the finest culinary institutes in Europe.

He's the head chef at a five-star restaurant.

a celebrity chef with her own TV show

My friend is an excellent chef.

Recent Examples on the Web

Castro will receive the Humanitarian Award for his 25-year-long career in the food industry as an executive chef, private chef, culinary instructor and restaurant owner. — Isabelle Farina, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026

Saranya shared her recommendations for On the Menu, a series that features chefs, bartenders and other industry professionals sharing their most beloved spots in KC to eat and imbibe. — Katelyn Umholtz, Kansas City Star, 25 Aug. 2026

Other chefs from across the country, including Gregory Gourdet of Kann in Portland, Oregon, and Annie Shi and Jess Shadbolt of Dean’s in New York City, also will bring a taste of their food to the event. — Kimberly Nordyke, HollywoodReporter, 25 Aug. 2026

Florida chef Elijah Button was chopping onions in June when his knife slipped and sliced his middle finger to the bone. — Ali Swenson, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

French, short for chef de cuisine head of the kitchen

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing chef

• chef de cuisine
• chef d'oeuvre
• chef's kiss
• chef's knife
• chef's salad
• executive chef
• sous chef

Rhymes for chef

• clef
• deaf
• ref

Kids Definition

chef

noun

ˈshef 

1

: a chief cook

2

: cook entry 1