Collocations for "chief"
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word "chief" in context.
WordReference English Collocations © 2025
chief
ⓘMost examples are given in US English. We have labeled exceptions as UK.adj
- our chief concern is [your safety, the company image]
- is of chief importance that you [go, remember, do]
- chief among her concerns is
- the chief [executive, financial, operating] officer
- the [deputy, vice, assistant, former, current] chief [executive] officer
- is [their, our, the country's, Australia's] chief export
- the chief export of [Australia] (is)
- the chief justice of the (supreme) court
- was [appointed, named] chief executive
- the chief executives of
- chief [counsel, inspector] of
- the chief editor
- is (the) editor-in-chief of
- the Commander-in-Chief (of)
- a [military, police, union] chief
- the [local, city, state, district] police chief
- the chief of [staff, security, police]
- [appointed, named, announced] (the new) chief of [staff]
- the chief of state
- a [native, clan, tribal] chief
- a [legendary, famous] Native American chief
- [discussions, talks, negotiations] with union chiefs
'chief' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
accountant
- administrative
- aim
- attraction
- baker
- bureau
- commander
- commissioner
- communication
- deputy
- editor
- embassy
- executive
- grievance
- merit
- newspaper
- officer
- petty
- staff
- warden
- wine and dine
- yard