chef

noun

plural chefs
Synonyms of chefnext
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 noun

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
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.
Alkassar, who managed Paya along with chef Niven Patel, his partner in Feal Hospitality, managed a startling change in a short time. Connie Ogle, Miami Herald, 6 Apr. 2026 If budget is no concern, dig into the Dream Feast, which gives the chef full permission to get creative and craft a seasonal five-course experience. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026 The kitchen is also notable for its granite counters, which offer plenty of room for several chefs to work without getting in each other’s way. James Alexander, Hartford Courant, 5 Apr. 2026 At the heart is a chef’s kitchen with an island outfitted with two ovens, a warming oven, a microwave and two refrigerator drawers. Sara B. Hansen, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chef

Word History

Etymology

French, short for chef de cuisine head of the kitchen

First Known Use

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of chef was in 1826

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Cite this Entry

“Chef.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chef. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

chef

noun
1
: a chief cook
2

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