Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

chef's knife

American  
[shefs nahyf] / ˈʃɛfs ˌnaɪf /
Also chef knife

noun

  1. a multipurpose kitchen knife with a wide blade usually 8 to 10 inches long and tapering to a point, used for slicing, chopping, etc.


Etymology

Origin of chef's knife

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

Hand-wash a chef’s knife or a nonstick pan, and you can dry it for storage without grabbing a towel.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2025

With a sharp carving or chef’s knife, create a flap by slicing between the meat and the bones, staying as close to the bones as possible and stopping just before they’re separated from the roast.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 25, 2023

The half-acre lot, in the shape of a chef’s knife, was carved out of a large affordable housing project because it was too close to the freeway to qualify for tax-credit financing.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2023

You should have a very very very sharp, large chef's knife for proper, efficient herb chopping without any sort of bruising, but knives are a conversation for another.

From Salon ● Jul. 18, 2023

Mom clapped her hands and held up a chef’s knife.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training