What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Chiefdom vs Chieftain - What's the difference?

chiefdom | chieftain |

As nouns the difference between chiefdom and chieftain

is that chiefdom is an area or region governed by a chief while chieftain is a leader of a clan or tribe.

chiefdom

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • An area or region governed by a chief.
  • (anthropology) A society larger than a tribe but smaller or simpler than a state.

    • chieftain

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A leader of a clan or tribe.
  • A leader of a group, e.g. a robbers' chieftain.

    • Synonyms

    * (A very powerful person) chief, big gun, big shot, big wheel, bigwig, boss, employer, foreman, head, heid bummer, leader, mandarin, manager, mover and shaker, top banana, top dog, tycoon