endive

noun

en·​dive ˈen-ˌdīv  ˌän-ˈdēv 

1

: an annual or biennial composite herb (Cichorium endivia) that is closely related to chicory and occurs in two common varieties:

a

: a variety (C. endivia var. crispa) having curly, usually dissected leaves : curly endive

b

: a variety (C. endivia var. latifolium) having broad flat leaves used especially cooked as a vegetable : escarole

2

: belgian endive

Examples of endive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fork-tender caveman-size shank is blanketed in sautéed endive and a bright lemon-egg-dill sauce. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 5 July 2024

Every meal starts with a relish tray, pleasantly retro if rather anemic: a few leaves of endive, a couple of black olives, melba toast, a little puddle of dip. —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 30 June 2024

Separate the individual leaves from each endive and arrange them on a large serving platter. —Laura McLively, The Mercury News, 12 June 2024

Start off with over a dozen different starters, like hamachi crudo, smoked bluefish dip, anchovy toast, or endive salad. —Blaine Callahan, Hartford Courant, 16 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin endivia, from Late Greek entybion, from Latin intubus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing endive

• Belgian endive
• curly endive

Kids Definition

endive

noun

en·​dive ˈen-ˌdīv 

1

: an herb closely related to chicory and widely grown as a salad plant

called also escarole

2

: the developing shoot of chicory when it is made pale or white by growing in the dark for use in salads