sheik

UK: /ʃeɪk/ US: /ʃik; also ʃeɪk/ ,(shēk, shāk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

sheik /ʃik; also ʃeɪk/   n. 

1. Eastern Religions Also, sheikh. (in Arab countries) the male leader, usually an elder, of a tribe or family;
   chief:
   [countable] seated near sheiks and princes.
   [proper noun] Sheik Faisal.

sheik•dom, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

sheik  (shēk, shāk), n. 

1. Eastern Religions Also, shaikh, sheikh. (in Islamic countries) the patriarch of a tribe or family;
   chief: a term of polite address.
2. Slang Terms a man held to be masterful and irresistibly charming to women.

• Arabic shaykh old man
• 1570–80

sheik′like′, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

sheikh, sheik / ʃeɪk/ noun (in Muslim countries)

1. the head of an Arab tribe, village, etc
2. a high priest or religious leader, esp a Sufi master

Etymology: 16th Century: from Arabic shaykh old man