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

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

Recently a print inspired by radicchio – a chicory that comes in a variety of blushy pinks, vibrant reds and near-purples – made the cut for the Spring 2025 release. —Virgie Tovar, Forbes, 15 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