sheik

[sheek, sheyk]

noun

Also shaikh, 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.

Nearby words

Origin of sheik

First recorded in 1570–80, sheik is from the Arabic word shaykh old man

Related formssheik·like, adjective

Can be confusedshake sheik (see synonym study at shake)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sheikh

Though he claimed to be a sheikh, he had none of the qualifications.
The Sydney Astrologer Turned Islamic Radical|Jacob Siegel|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Sheikh Raad al-Khafaji had invited me to break the Ramadan fast in the headquarters of his recruiting operation.
The Brewing Battle for Baghdad|Jacob Siegel|August 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The sheikh is ready to flee if the Lebanese security forces, considered to be in thrall to Hezbollah, make a move to arrest him.
The Sheikh Who Wants to Put the Hurt on Hezbollah in Lebanon|Jamie Dettmer|July 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
She even lauded the “amazing hospitality” of Sheikh Khalifa and the “Kingdom of Bahrain” on Twitter (before deleting the tweets).
Kim Kardashian Butts Into Syria’s (Online) Civil War With #SaveKessab Campaign|Marlow Stern, Michael Weiss|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But when I followed Hamoudi into the mosque, there were neither the sheikh nor any worshippers.
Israel's Secret Honor Killings|Lipika Pelham|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“There is the garden beneath the trees, Excellency,” said the Sheikh.
In the Mahdi's Grasp|George Manville Fenn
Then came the usual scene of hubbub with the sheikh, the camels, the porters, and the drivers.
Miss Cayley's Adventures|Grant Allen
No sooner had the Sheikh seen her than he became violently in love, and seemed to lose all regard for his religious duties.
Mystics and Saints of Islam|Claud Field
The monks of Sheikh Mattai received him hospitably, and gave him lodging in their monastery.
The Cradle of Mankind|W.A. Wigram
One night Sheikh Bayazid went out of the town, and found reigning everywhere profound silence.
Mystics and Saints of Islam|Claud Field

British Dictionary definitions for sheikh

sheikh

sheik

noun (in Muslim countries)

the head of an Arab tribe, village, etc
a venerable old man
a high priest or religious leader, esp a Sufi master

Word Origin for sheikh

C16: from Arabic shaykh old man

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for sheikh

sheik

"head of an Arab family," also "head of a Muslim religious order," 1570s, from Arabic shaykh "chief," literally "old man," from base of shakha "to grow old." Popularized by "The Sheik," novel in Arabian setting by E.M. Hull (1919), and the movie version, "The Sheikh," 1921, starring Rudolph Valentino, which gave it a 1920s sense of "strong, romantic lover."