sheik

/ʃik/

/ʃik/

Other forms: sheiks

In Arabic, sheik is an honorific title, as in a Saudi oil sheik who makes the business news. Sheik also refers to a specific head of a tribe or family, or a leader in a Muslim community.

In parts of the Middle East, South Asia, and some Muslim areas of Africa, a sheik is a religious leader or cleric. Sometimes it's the way an Islamic scholar is addressed. In Arabic the word is shaykh, "chief" or "wise old man." Women in a royal family, or female scholars of Islam, have traditionally been called shaykhah. Sheik is also spelled sheikh and shaikh.

Definitions of sheik

1. noun

   the leader of an Arab village or family
   synonyms: Arab chief, sheikh, tribal sheik, tribal sheikh

   type of:

   ruler, swayer

   a person who rules or commands
2. noun

   a man who is much concerned with his dress and appearance
   synonyms: beau, clotheshorse, dandy, dude, fashion plate, fop, gallant, swell

   examples:

   George Bryan Brummell

   English dandy who was a fashion leader during the Regency (1778-1840)

   types:

   cockscomb, coxcomb

   a conceited dandy who is overly impressed by his own accomplishments

   macaroni

   a British dandy in the 18th century who affected Continental mannerisms

   type of:

   adult male, man

   an adult person who is male (as opposed to a woman)