Synonyms

sheik

American

[sheek, sheyk] / ʃik, ʃeɪk /

noun

Also sheikh. (in Islamic countries) the patriarch of a tribe or family; chief: a term of polite address.
Slang. a man held to be masterful and irresistibly charming to women.

Other Word Forms

sheiklike adjective

Etymology

Origin of sheik

First recorded in 1570–80; from Arabic shayḫ “old man, chief,” from shaka “to grow, grow up, grow old”

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.

The outlet noted that Ferguson has experienced some public hiccups, like the time she was caught promising a News of the World reporter disguised as a sheik access to Andrew in exchange for nearly $700,000.

From Fox News • Jul. 26, 2021

Ron Kuby, who once represented a blind Egyptian sheik sentenced to life in prison after a 1990s Manhattan terrorism trial, said the lockup houses some of “the highest-security prisoners on earth.”

From Washington Times • Aug. 12, 2019

“We had this giant gold fake set that we built that was like an office fit for a Saudi sheik or something,” Berg said, recalling the commercial shoot.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 20, 2016

But Mr Dutton defended his department against accusations that a visa for the sheik should never have been approved.

From BBC • Jun. 14, 2016

“Talked to me for quite a while—said he was from Saudi Arabia. He thumbed through the goshawk book, too. Said the sheik he worked for had a goshawk. “

From "On the Far Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023