in chief

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɪn t͡ʃiːf/
• Rhymes: -iːf

Adjective

in chief

1. (after a noun) Executive, the highest in command.
2. (after a noun, humorous) The chief example; the worst offender.

   No, it can't be Bill who gets assigned to this task. That dude is the slacker in chief around here.

3. (heraldry) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see in,‎ chief. In the chief of the escutcheon.
   • 1844, John Burke, Bernard Burke, Encyclopædia of Heraldry, Or General Armory of England, Scotland and Ireland, page 375:

     Erm. a fesse betw. two demi lions in chief and three mascles in base gu.

   • 1874, John Woody Papworth, An Alphabetical Dictionary of Coats of Arms Belonging to Families in Great Britain and Ireland: Forming an Extensive Ordinary of British Armorials : Upon an Entirely New Plan ..., page 1070:

     Arg. a saltire betw. a cross-gate in chief and in base and a crescent in each flank gu. / HEGENS, Scotland. Arg. a saltire engr. betw. a mullet in chief two crescents in flanks and a cross crosslet fitchy in base gu.

Usage notes

• In the sense "executive", usually used after nouns denoting an occupation.

Derived terms

• commander in chief
• editor in chief

 

Related terms

• chief of staff