caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar ˈka-vē-ˌär 

 also  ˈkä-

variants or less commonly caviare

1

: processed salted roe of large fish (such as sturgeon)

2

: something considered too delicate or lofty for mass appreciation

—usually used in the phrase caviar to the general

3

: something considered the best of its kind

Did you know?

The eggs, or roe, of sturgeon are called caviar. Preserved with salt, caviar is usually eaten as an appetizer. Most true caviar is produced in Russia and Iran, from fish taken from the Caspian and Black seas. The best grade, beluga, is prepared from large black or gray eggs; fresh beluga caviar is relatively scarce and thus expensive. Lesser grades are from smaller, denser eggs. In the U.S., the roe of salmon, whitefish, lumpfish, and paddlefish is sometimes sold under the name caviar.

Examples of caviar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, the caviar flows, as do the truffles. —Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 12 May 2025

The caviar is pleasing to look at, with a dark-brown and amber hue, and the flavor is like the ocean concentrated into a tiny drop—in the very best way. —Louryn Strampe, Wired News, 9 May 2025

Black lentils are tiny and are often referred to as beluga lentils, due to their resemblance to caviar. —Lynda Balslev, Mercury News, 7 May 2025

For those looking to splurge, even the caviar supplement is reimagined, pairing sweet French toast with briny caviar and crème fraîche. —Chelsea Davis, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

earlier cavery, caviarie, from obsolete Italian caviari, plural of caviaro, from Turkish havyar

First Known Use

circa 1560, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for caviar

• abattoir
• alcazar
• autocar
• avatar
• belshazzar
• caviare
• cinnabar
• commissar
• condylar
• deodar
• handlebar
• isobar

Kids Definition

caviar

noun

cav·​i·​ar

variants also caviare

ˈkav-ē-ˌär 

 also  ˈkäv-

: the salted eggs of a large fish (as the sturgeon) usually served as an appetizer