Sheik, Chic or Sheek – What’s the Difference?

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Candace Osmond

Candace Osmond studied Advanced Writing & Editing Essentials at MHC. She’s been an International and USA TODAY Bestselling Author for over a decade. And she’s worked as an Editor for several mid-sized publications. Candace has a keen eye for content editing and a high degree of expertise in Fiction.

English can sometimes be a puzzling jigsaw of homophones. When words like sheik, chic and sheek come into play, things might seem downright confounding. Fear not, though! I’m here to sift through these similar-sounding words and find the precise pieces that fit. I’ll break down their meanings and show you how to use them in sentences.

Sheik vs. Chic vs. Sheek

Sheik Chic or Sheek Whats the Difference

First off, let’s address the odd one out: sheek. In actuality, sheek is a common misspelling and doesn’t hold any particular meaning in English. The confusion probably arises from the other two words we’re talking about today, sheik and chic, with it being a misspelling of one of those.

Now, onto sheik and chic. Though they might sound similar when you say them, these two terms have distinctly different meanings, and to mix them up would create chaos on the page.

A sheik is an Arab leader, usually the chief or head of an Arab tribe, or a title in the Muslim world for a religious scholar. But the adjective chic describes something as stylish, trendy or fashionable. Big difference!

So, whether you’re mingling with Middle Eastern nobility or strutting down a fashion runway, you’ll now know which word to use.

Is It Chic Fashion or Sheek Fashion?

Given the details I touched on about the word sheek, this one is a no-brainer. The correct term is chic fashion, implying a trendy and sophisticated style. So, if you need to compliment a stylish ensemble, remember that it’s chic, not sheek, because sheek’s not even a word.

Chique or Chic?

Despite chique popping up in some online posts and texts, the correct spelling you should use here is chic. But in some languages, like French and Portuguese, chique is considered a correct spelling, translating to the same trendy concept of chic. But for English speakers aiming for sophistication, stick with chic.

Synonyms for Chic

  • Stylish
  • Trendy
  • Fashionable
  • Elegant
  • Classy

Synonyms for Sheik

  • Chief
  • Leader
  • Noble
  • Elder
  • Ruler

Sheik Examples in a Sentence

  • The sheik was revered by his tribe for his great wisdom and leadership over the years.
  • You missed it when the sheik delivered a powerful and insightful sermon at the mosque.
  • As a sheik, his role was to provide guidance and maintain order in the tribe.

Chic Examples in a Sentence

Sheik Chic or Sheek Whats the Difference 1
  • Jane’s chic outfit turned heads as she walked the street downtown.
  • The lovely new café downtown has a chic interior design that I admired while I sat and did some writing this morning.
  • My boyfriend’s minimalist apartment has a distinctly chic vibe for a single guy.

The Stylish Bottom Line

A great tip to remember the differences I outlined today is that chic is considered a feminine term in French (chique), and women tend to be more involved in fashion and trends. Just don’t forget that sheek isn’t a word at all, and you should wipe it from your memory right now.

Enjoyed reading about this spelling? Check out some others we covered:

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