noun
sheik
shayk
noun
1
A leader of an Arab family, village, or tribe.
"The local sheik mediated the dispute between the two families."
2
A Muslim religious leader or scholar, especially in Sufism.
"Pilgrims sought the sheik's guidance before the journey."
How to Use Sheik
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA respected leader or elder in Arab or Islamic communities, whether tribal, religious, or civic.
UK vs US
Also commonly spelled "sheikh" — both spellings are widely accepted.
Word Forms
sheiks plural
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The local _____ mediated the dispute between the two families.
Etymology
From Arabic šayḵ, meaning "elder." The now-dated "romantic lover" sense in English comes from the 1921 Hollywood film The Sheik.