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

To finish the extravagant meal, diners have the option to choose between a Chocolate brioche served with buckwheat and chicory ice cream or Crêpes Suzette that are flambéed tableside on the Grill’s original solid silver trolley. —Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Some prebiotic-rich food options include berries, asparagus, apples, garlic, onions, leeks, dandelion greens, chicory root, whole oats, and green bananas. —Beth Krietsch, SELF, 7 Apr. 2025

Drinks are an emphasis here, with a cocktail menu featuring interesting flavors like cardamom, chicory, jasmine and masala salt. —Andrew King, Axios, 31 Mar. 2025

Santa Barbara Island also blossoms with lavender chicory and pale-yellow cream cups. —Deb Hopewell, AFAR Media, 24 Mar. 2025

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