chive

noun

ˈchīv 

: a perennial plant (Allium schoenoprasum) related to the onion and having slender leaves used as a seasoning

also : its leaves

—usually used in plural compare garlic chive

Examples of chive in a Sentence

Do you want chives on your baked potato?

Recent Examples on the Web

Try Companion Planting Growing plants like marigolds, borage, basil, garlic, chives, and radishes near tomato plants can naturally protect tomatoes from common pests like flea beetles and tomato hornworms. —Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 9 June 2026

In a measuring cup or small bowl, stir together the yogurt, mayonnaise, chives, dill and garlic powder; season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. —Emily Weinstein, Twin Cities, 4 June 2026

Chef Sisca’s personal pride is the classic French omelette, served traditionally with asparagus, French feta, chive and pommes frites or salad. —Jillian Dara, PEOPLE, 3 June 2026

Additionally, chives' purple blossoms attract pollinators to your garden, which are essential for pollinating pepper flowers and improving harvest yields. —Sheryl Geerts, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin cepa onion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing chive

• Chinese chive
• garlic chive

Rhymes for chive

• dive
• drive
• five
• hive
• jive
• live
• strive
• thrive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive

Kids Definition

chive

noun

ˈchīv 

: an herb related to the onion and having leaves used as a seasoning