What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
major
Example
I'm majoring in English literature at university. [majoring: verb]
Example
The company made a major announcement about its new product line. [major: adjective]
Example
He was promoted to the rank of major after serving for ten years in the army. [major: noun]
chief
Example
The chief executive officer of the company announced his resignation. [chief: adjective]
Example
She was appointed as the chief of police for the city. [chief: noun]
Example
The chief of the tribe led the ceremony. [chief: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Major is more commonly used than chief in everyday language, especially in academic and military contexts. Chief is less common but still widely used in business and organizational contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between major and chief?
Chief can be seen as more formal than major, as it is often used in professional or official settings to refer to leaders or heads of organizations.
