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

Give buttery cannellini beans, bright lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, and fresh herbs—parsley, basil, and chives—a quick whirl in the blender until smooth. — Maddy Bendgen, Better Homes & Gardens, 13 July 2026

Strongly scented plants like basil, mint, rosemary, lavender, dill, chives, marigolds, chrysanthemums, and citronella can fill your patio with natural aroma while keeping the insects spiders hunt for far away. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 9 July 2026

Better alternatives include garlic, chives, catnip, and lavender. — Lee Wallender, The Spruce, 6 July 2026

While cabbage is susceptible to pests, surrounding it with chives effectively deters unwanted visitors such as aphids, cabbage moths, flea beetles, and slugs. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 30 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