chive

noun

ˈchīv 

: a perennial plant (Allium schoenoprasum) related to the onion and having slender leaves used as a seasoning

also : its leaves

—usually used in plural compare garlic chive

Examples of chive in a Sentence

Do you want chives on your baked potato?

Recent Examples on the Web

Thanks to their strongly scented leaves, chives make excellent companion plants that can repel garden pests. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 16 Feb. 2025

Or dress these poppers up and switch the cheddar cheese for more sour cream and top the potatoes with a sprinkle of salmon roe and snipped chives before serving. —Lynda Balslev, The Mercury News, 4 Feb. 2025

Herbs: Anise, basil, borage, chives, dill, fennel, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, sweet marjoram, tarragon, and thyme. —Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025

With blue cheese, bacon, chives, and a topping of crispy onions, our latest version is perfect for tailgate snacking. —Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 16 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin cepa onion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chive

• Chinese chive
• garlic chive

Rhymes for chive

• dive
• drive
• five
• hive
• jive
• live
• strive
• thrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive

Kids Definition

chive

noun

ˈchīv 

: an herb related to the onion and having leaves used as a seasoning