Chiefs or Chieves: What’s the Correct Plural of “Chief”?

English plural forms can be tricky, especially for learners dealing with words that end in “f” or “fe“. For example, knife becomes knives, and leaf becomes leaves—but not every word follows this pattern. The plural of chief is chiefs, not chieves, though many still think it should be. I once helped a group of students editing essays and almost all of them wrote “chieves” instead of “chiefs.” That sparked a real discussion on spelling. So, if you’re still confused about Chiefs or Chieves, you’re definitely not alone.

Even teachers, students, and native speakers slip on this one. It’s a common grammar issue that shows up in classrooms, emails, and daily conversations. The rule seems simple, but English is full of exceptions, and this is one of them. It doesn’t follow the -f to -ves rule. So next time you see chiefs, remember it’s correct—even if it doesn’t feel that way. A little awareness can save you from repeating this small but common mistake.

Understanding the Word “Chief”: What Does It Mean?

The word chief refers to someone in charge — a leader, head, or authority figure. It can be used as a noun or an adjective.

Common meanings:

• Noun: A person with power or responsibility (e.g. tribal chief, fire chief).
• Adjective: Most important or main (e.g. chief reason, chief complaint).

Examples:

• Noun: “She’s the chief of police in the district.”
• Adjective: “Our chief concern is safety.”

So What’s the Plural of Chief?

Let’s get straight to it.

• Correct Plural: Chiefs
• Incorrect: Chieves

Many people assume “chieves” is correct because of words like “leaf” → “leaves” or “knife” → “knives.” But chief doesn’t follow that rule — and here’s why.

Why Isn’t It “Chieves”? Here’s the Rule

Words that end in “f” sometimes change to “ves” in plural form. For example:

• Leaf → Leaves
• Wolf → Wolves
• Knife → Knives

But not all words ending in “f” follow this rule.

Some words simply add -s, like:

• Belief → Beliefs
• Roof → Roofs
• Chef → Chefs
• Cliff → Cliffs
• And of course… Chief → Chiefs

So why the difference?

It Comes Down to Word Origin

The word chief comes from French and Latin roots, not Old English like “leaf” or “knife.” That changes how it behaves when made plural.

Word origin breakdown:

• Latin: caput → “head”
• Old French: chef → “leader”
• English: chief → “top-ranking person”

Because of this origin, it doesn’t use the -ves plural rule.

Examples of Chief and Chiefs in Sentences

Let’s see how it’s used in real writing.

Singular:

• The chief addressed the nation during the crisis.
• She was promoted to chief of design.

Plural:

• Tribal chiefs from across the region gathered for the summit.
• All department chiefs must attend the leadership meeting.

Synonyms for Chief

Depending on context, “chief” can be replaced with other words. Here are some:

As a noun:

• Leader
• Commander
• Director
• Boss
• Executive
• Captain

As an adjective:

• Main
• Foremost
• Primary
• Principal
• Top

Quick reference table:

Synonym	Type	Usage Example
Leader	Noun	He’s a strong leader.
Director	Noun	She’s the director of operations.
Primary	Adjective	Our primary goal is customer service.
Top	Adjective	The top priority is safety.

How to Use Chief Properly

Use as a Title

Capitalize when it’s an official role:

• Chief Financial Officer
• Chief Justice

Don’t capitalize when it’s general:

• He’s a fire chief in Texas.

Use as a Description

When describing importance:

• The chief concern was budget.
• Their chief mission is education.

Words Often Confused With Chief

Chief vs. Chef

• Chief: A leader or person in charge
• Chef: A professional cook

Fun fact: Both come from French “chef,” but have different meanings in English.

Chief vs. Chieftain

• Chief: Any leader
• Chieftain: A leader of a tribe or clan (often historical or cultural)

Plural Word Comparison Table

Here’s how chief compares with similar-looking words:

Word	Singular	Plural	Rule Type
Chief	Chief	Chiefs	Add -s (French origin)
Leaf	Leaf	Leaves	Change -f to -ves
Belief	Belief	Beliefs	Add -s (not -ves)
Knife	Knife	Knives	Change -fe to -ves
Roof	Roof	Roofs	Add -s
Chef	Chef	Chefs	Add -s

Case Study: Rise of “Chiefs” in Business Titles

In the modern workplace, “chief” is everywhere.

From CEO (Chief Executive Officer) to CFO, CMO, and COO, the “chief” title has become a corporate standard.

According to Statista, over 90% of Fortune 500 companies have at least four or more “chief” officers.

Top Business Chief Titles:

• CEO – Chief Executive Officer
• CFO – Chief Financial Officer
• COO – Chief Operating Officer
• CTO – Chief Technology Officer
• CMO – Chief Marketing Officer

The more complex companies become, the more chiefs are needed to lead different departments.

In Summary: Use “Chiefs,” Never “Chieves”

Let’s end with a clear takeaway:

• Chiefs is the correct plural.
• Chieves is a common but incorrect guess.
• The origin, spelling, and usage of “chief” all point to one rule: just add -s.

Final Thoughts: Why “Chiefs” Is Correct

Understanding whether it’s “chiefs” or “chieves” may seem like a small detail, but it’s one that reflects a solid grasp of English grammar. These tricky plural forms—especially those ending in “f” or “fe”—often confuse even the most fluent students, teachers, and learners. But by remembering that the correct form is always chiefs, not chieves, you avoid a mistake that trips up many. In language, the little things matter—and now you’ve got this one right.

FAQs: Common Questions About the Plural of Chief

Is “chieves” ever correct?

No. It’s a spelling error. The correct plural is chiefs.

Do we use “chiefs” in both business and military?

Yes. It’s common in corporations, tribes, governments, and armed forces.

Why doesn’t it follow the “leaf → leaves” rule?

Because chief comes from French, not Old English.

Can “chief” be an adjective?

Yes. Example: “The chief concern was health and safety.”

What’s the difference between “chief” and “chieftain”?

“Chieftain” is mostly used in tribal or historical settings. Chief is broader.