chef

noun

ˈshef How to pronounce chef (audio)
Definition of chefnext
as in cook
a person who prepares food by some manner of heating the restaurant hired a famous chef to raise the quality of its cuisine

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of chef MasterChef Australia Season 4 winner Andy Allen is both host and judge, while food writer Sofia Levin, French chef Jean-Chrostophe Novelli, and Season 1 runner-up Poh Ling Yeow are regular judges. — Katie Decker-Jacoby, StyleCaster, 24 July 2026 His release came after Diggs faced felony charges of strangulation or suffocation stemming from a December incident involving his private chef. — Daniel Popper, New York Times, 24 July 2026 The festival also featured DJ-chef collaborations like Munchietown, further blurring the lines between beats and bites. — Lanee Lee, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 The lineup of extraordinary talent includes more than 150 chefs and 150 wine and spirit producers, who participate in more than 50 events throughout the weekend. — Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 23 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for chef
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chef
  1. cook
  2. baker
Noun
  • Given the same ingredients, a new cook may look up recipes in a book, or just try many things.
    — Nisha Talagala, Forbes.com, 29 July 2026
  • Ceiling tiles were stained and chipped throughout the main cook line in the restaurant located inside the kid-friendly entertainment center.
    — Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 27 July 2026
Definition of cook
Noun
  • They were created by Utah baker Sandy Lambert, who first met Vosk as a fan before the two became friends.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 25 July 2026
  • Joanna Gaines' Magnolia has newness easing into fall, including antique gold accent decor, brown plaid pillows and green plaid quilts, floral serving bowls and pitchers, block print napkin sets, stoneware brie bakers and more.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of baker

Phrases Containing chef

Browse Nearby Words

cheesy
chef
chef d'oeuvre
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chef.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chef. Accessed 31 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on chef

Nglish: Translation of chef for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of comely

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

Your vs. You're: How to Use Them Correctly
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

The Words of the Week - Jul. 31

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All