chicory

noun

chic·​o·​ry ˈchi-k(ə-)rē 

variants or less commonly chickory

plural chicories

1

: a thick-rooted usually blue-flowered European perennial composite herb (Cichorium intybus) widely grown for its roots and as a salad plant compare belgian endive, radicchio

2

: the dried ground roasted root of chicory used to flavor or adulterate coffee

Examples of chicory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

But chicory has been around long before that café opened its doors. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024

Whole trout is tightly bundled in chicories, grilled until smoky, then bathed in beurre blanc. —Elazar Sontag, Bon Appétit, 9 Sep. 2024

High-fiber bars often include ingredients like oats, chicory root, or psyllium husk, which aid in maintaining stable blood sugar levels and support gut health. —Shushy Rita Setrakian Ms, Rd, Health, 9 Aug. 2024

But there are more inventive dishes as well, like mussels in a blue-cheese sauce and duck breast with tamarind puree, kumquat, and chicory. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 28 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

alteration of Middle English cicoree, from Anglo-French, from Latin cichoreum, from Greek kichoreia

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

chicory

noun

chic·​o·​ry ˈchik-(ə-)rē 

plural chicories

: a thick-rooted usually blue-flowered European herb related to the daisies and grown for its roots and as a salad plant

also : its dried ground roasted root that is sometimes added to coffee