Phrase guide

tribal chief

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The chief of a tribe.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Some traditional societies have a single hereditary tribal chief, others a whole hierarchy of elected tribal chiefs, etc.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

the head of a tribe or clan

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: headman, chieftain, chief

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: leader

Narrower terms: Indian chief, Indian chieftain, pendragon, Glendower, Owen Glendower, Rollo, Rolf, Hrolf

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Dutch: stamhoofd — the chief of a tribe
  • German: Stammesführer — the chief of a tribe
  • Greek: φύλαρχος (fýlarchos) — the chief of a tribe
  • Paiwan: mazazangiljan — the chief of a tribe
  • Portuguese: cacique — the chief of a tribe
  • Portuguese: chefe — the chief of a tribe