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

See Examples For:

chef's knife

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

To be honest, the exact rationale for taking out my chef’s knife can change on a day-to-day basis and sometimes, multiple times throughout a single day.

From Salon ● Oct. 9, 2024

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

He winks at me, taking his oven mitts off, and I watch as he confidently twirls his chef’s knife, deftly slicing the pie into eight even pieces with a flourish.

From "Five Feet Apart" by Rachael Lippincott