sheik
sheik Lexical Profile
sheik Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An Arab leader, in particular the chief or head of an Arab tribe, family, or village.
"The visiting diplomats were welcomed into the tent by the local sheik and his council of elders."
An honorific title given to a respected Muslim religious scholar, spiritual master, or venerable elder.
"Students gathered in the courtyard of the mosque to listen to the sheik explain Islamic jurisprudence."
American A man regarded as alluringly romantic, dashing, or irresistibly charming to women (dated slang, chiefly from the 1920s).
"Dressed in his finest tailored suit, he fancied himself the neighborhood sheik at the Saturday night dance."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often spelled 'sheikh' in modern journalistic and academic writing to more closely reflect the Arabic pronunciation, and shouldn't be confused with the homophone 'chic' (stylish).
• Rhymes for sheik
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from Arabic 'shaykh', literally meaning 'old man' or 'elder', derived from the verb 'shakha' (to grow old). Its 1920s slang sense of a romantic charmer was popularized by Rudolph Valentino's starring role in the 1921 silent film 'The Sheik'.