- chief, main, primary, principal - most important element; "the chief aim of living"; "the main doors were of solid glass"; "the principal rivers of America"; "the principal example"; "policemen were primary targets"
Antonym: unimportant (indirect, via important)
- head, chief, top dog - a person who is in charge; "the head of the whole operation"
--1 is a kind of leader
--1 has particulars:administrator, executive; administrator, decision maker; capo; department head; don, father; general, superior general; general manager; grand dragon; head of household; secretary - foreman, chief, gaffer, honcho, boss - a person who exercises control over workers; "if you want to leave early you have to ask the foreman"
--2 is a kind of supervisor
--2 has particulars: baas; ganger; straw boss, assistant foreman