sheikh
Britishnoun
Etymology
Origin of sheikh
C16: from Arabic shaykh old man
Explanation
Sheikh is a formal title for an Arabic man. It's common for tribal chiefs, religious leaders, and royal family members to be addressed as sheikh. The Arabic source of sheikh is shaykh, which literally means "old man," from a root meaning "to grow old." It's generally used as an honorific, to address a respected elder such as village leaders and family patriarchs. In Islam and Sufism, sheikhs are religious figures or scholars. A woman in a similar position of power or respect is commonly known as a shaykhah.
Vocabulary lists containing sheikh
Chapter 14: Islamic Civilization
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
When the Emperor Was Divine
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
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.
This was while the sheikh wanted the Trump administration’s approval for access to sensitive A.I. chips.
From Slate ● Jul. 22, 2026
The sheikh hosted top tech and finance CEOs at his royal Abu Dhabi compound, posting about the meetings—often held on a set of white couches—on Instagram.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 1, 2026
He hopes to see the mosque, which houses the tomb of a Sufi sheikh, host a traditional music festival when the renovation is complete, "in five months".
From Barron's ● Feb. 1, 2026
Watson said Skydance contacted an Abu Dhabi sheikh — but he was the uncle of their prospective Middle East advisor with a similar name.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 26, 2025
"I can do nothing else," replied the sheikh.
From Across the Cameroons A Story of War and Adventure by Charles Gilson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
