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

• cook
• cooker
• culinarian

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

The choice is also in line with a show that likes to make a splash with its cameos—whether that be revered chefs, British stars, or former wrestling champs (see: John Cena as Sammy Fak). —Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 26 June 2025

Much of Norway’s Coastal Kitchen’s success is thanks to Hurtigruten’s culinary ambassadors, who collaborate with the onboard chefs to create menus that authentically represent Norway’s culinary culture. —AFAR Media, 26 June 2025

Or guests can take a cooking class with the hotel’s chefs to learn how to prepare local cuisine such as a Maritata soup with homemade lagane pasta and Lucanian sausage. —Carrie Coolidge, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

His restaurant has been a proving ground for talented chefs and a beacon of sustainability in fine dining (hence Michelin bestowing the restaurant with a Green Star as well). —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 26 June 2025

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