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

Produce features heavily in starters like the fall chicory salad with tempura root vegetables and black truffle vinaigrette, as well as sides such as caraflex cabbage with dashi and jalapeño and potato and apple gratin. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 20 Nov. 2024

Salad with Roasted Delicata, Apple, Savory Seed & Seaweed Granola, and Black Tahini Dressing Celebrate autumn with this vibrant chicory salad, featuring sweet roasted delicata squash, crisp apples, and a savory seed and seaweed granola. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 24 Oct. 2024

Local vegetables star in a Caesar-like chicory salad with tofu dressing and anchovy panko. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 2 Oct. 2024

Chicory Salad with Roasted Delicata, Apple, Savory Seed & Seaweed Granola, and Black Tahini Dressing Celebrate autumn with this vibrant chicory salad, featuring sweet roasted delicata squash, crisp apples, and a savory seed and seaweed granola. —Sarah Yang, Sunset Magazine, 1 Oct. 2024

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