What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
prime
Example
The prime of his career was in the 1990s. [prime: noun]
Example
This is a prime example of excellent customer service. [prime: adjective]
Example
We need to prime the surface before painting it. [prime: verb]
chief
Example
The chief executive officer is responsible for the company's overall performance. [chief: noun]
Example
The chief reason for the delay was the bad weather. [chief: adjective]
Example
The chief of the village welcomed us warmly. [chief: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Chief is more commonly used than prime in everyday language. Chief is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while prime is less common and tends to be used in more specific situations.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between prime and chief?
Both prime and chief can be used in formal and informal contexts, but chief is generally considered more formal than prime.