What’s the Plural of Chief? Everything You Need to Know

Hey friends! Ever come across the word “chief” and wondered how to talk about more than one? Like, should it be chiefs or chiefs? Sometimes, even common words trip us up when it comes to their plural forms. Today, I’m here to clear up all the confusion around the plural of “chief” and give you a full picture of how to handle similar words in English.

Understanding the Word “Chief”

Let’s start from the basics. The word “chief” has a few different uses, but generally, it refers to a person who is the leader or head of a group, tribe, or organization. Think of a “chief” as someone calling the shots — the boss or leader.

What Does “Chief” Mean?

Here's a quick definition list:

• Chief (noun): The person in charge or the leader of a group.
• Chief (adjective): Describes something that is the most important or primary (e.g., “chief concern”).

Since our focus is on the noun form, we’ll stick to that.

How to Make “Chief” Plural?

You might think, “Is it chieves?” or something more complicated. The rule is straightforward:

Singular	Plural
Chief	Chiefs

So, the plural of chief is chiefs.

When Do We Use “Chiefs”?

• To refer to multiple leaders.
  Example: The chiefs of the different tribes met today.

• In organizational settings.
  Example: The police chiefs from various cities gathered for the conference.

Are There Exceptions?

In most cases, “chief” follows standard English plural rules: add -s at the end, making chiefs.

However, sometimes “chief” may appear in titles or formal names, and in those cases, the plural might involve “Chiefs” as part of a formal group name, such as:

• Chief Executive Officers (CEOs)
• Chiefs of Staff

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Why Is Proper Pluralization Important?

Using the correct plural form is crucial for clear communication. Saying “chieves” may confuse readers or sound mistaken, but “chiefs” is universally recognized and correct.

Example:

• Correct: The chiefs of the departments met yesterday.
• Incorrect: The chieves of the departments met yesterday.

Exploring 15 Categories Using “Chief” and “Chiefs”

To deepen our understanding, let’s look at how “chief” and “chiefs” are used across different categories.

Category	Singular Example	Plural Example
Leadership	The chief made an announcement.	The chiefs agreed on the plan.
Personality Traits	He’s a chief troublemaker in the group.	The chiefs are known for their boldness.
Physical Descriptions	The chief has a tall, commanding presence.	The chiefs are wearing traditional attire.
Occupational Roles	She is the chief engineer on the project.	The chiefs in the company are meeting now.
Cultural Titles	The chief of the tribe welcomed everyone.	The chiefs of neighboring tribes gathered.
Military Titles	The chief of staff gave the order.	The chiefs of divisions participated.
Sports	The chief referee made a questionable call.	The chiefs won the championship.
Business Titles	The chief financial officer presented the report.	The chiefs executives signed the deal.
Family & Clan	The chief of the clan is wise and respected.	The chiefs of the clans held a meeting.
Royal Titles	The chief of the royal guard appeared.	The chiefs of the court attended.
Historical Figures	The chief of the ancient city was revered.	The chiefs of the tribes evolved over centuries.
Fiction & Literature	The chief hero led the quest.	The chiefs of the fantasy world were powerful.
Cultural Leadership	The chief of ceremonies welcomed guests.	The chiefs of the festival prepared the event.
Mythology	The chief god ruled over the pantheon.	The chiefs of the pantheon debated.

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Proper Usage & Proper Order

When using multiple “chiefs,” ensure correct grammatical order:

• Correct: The chiefs and leaders attended the conference.
• Incorrect: The leaders and chief attended the conference. (Inconsistent plurality)

Forms of “Chief” With Examples

Form	Usage Example	Explanation
Singular	The chief announced new policies.	One leader.
Plural	The chiefs signed the agreement.	Multiple leaders.
Possessive (singular)	The chief’s power is absolute.	One leader’s possession.
Possessive (plural)	The chiefs’ strategies differed.	Multiple leaders’ strategies.
Adjective	Chief executive officer (CEO).	Describes specific roles.

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Tips for Success

• Always add -s for plural unless dealing with irregular forms.
• Use context to determine if you need “chiefs” or another related term.
• Remember that “chief” as an adjective does not change form.

Common Mistakes & How to Avoid Them

Mistake	Correct Form	How to Avoid
Using “chieves”	Chiefs	Think: add -s for regular plurals.
Confusing plural with possessive	The chief’s vs. The chiefs’	Know the difference between ‘s’ (ownership) and ‘s’ (multiple).
Using “chiefs” in singular context	The chief said…	Use singular when talking about one leader.

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Similar Variations & Related Terms

• Leading figure
• Head
• Commander
• Captain
• Principal
• Director
• Manager

Remember, these aren’t interchangeable with “chief,” but each can describe leadership roles.

Why Is Knowing the Correct Plural Important?

Getting the plural right improves clarity, professionalism, and confidence in your writing. Whether you’re drafting reports, speeches, or casual conversations, correct usage always makes a difference.

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Practice Exercises to Test Your Knowledge

Fill-in-the-blank:

1. The ______ of the company was very pleased with the results.
2. Several ______ in the village gathered for the festival.
3. The ______ of the tribe is highly respected in their community.
4. The ______ signed the treaty yesterday.
5. The ______s of different sectors attended the forum.

Error Correction:

Rearrange or fix these sentences:

1. The chieves made a decision.
2. The chiefs' meeting was scheduled for tomorrow.
3. There are many chief in the organization.
4. The chief's decided to expand the team.
5. The chiefs of the departments gave their reports.

Identification:

Identify if the following sentences uses “chief” correctly:

1. The chief of the police department is very strict.
2. The chiefs are responsible for the entire project.
3. The chief’s of the country gathered for a summit.
4. The head of the team and chief were present.
5. The chiefs’ decision was final.

Sentence Construction:

Create sentences using:

• Singular “chief”
• Plural “chiefs”
• Possessive forms
• Appositive forms (e.g., “the chief, a respected elder…”)

Category Matching:

Match the term to its category or example:

Term	Category/Example
Chief	Leader
Chief Executive	Business Role
Tribal Chief	Cultural Title
Chief of Staff	Military/Organizational Title
Supreme Chief	Hierarchical Title

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Final Thoughts

Knowing the correct plural of “chief” is more than just adding an “-s.” It’s about understanding context, formality, and proper grammatical rules. Most importantly, using “chiefs” correctly helps you communicate more clearly and professionally. So next time you talk about multiple leaders, you’ll confidently say “chiefs”.

Remember, language is a powerful tool—use it right, and you’ll always be understood.

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Hope this article helps you master the plural of “chief”! If you want to explore more about English grammar, stay tuned for our future guides. Keep practicing, and happy writing!