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

Many of these products are made with ingredients like chicory root, which contains inulin, or soluble tapioca and corn fiber. —Ryan Brennan, Sacbee.com, 4 June 2026

Many products are made with ingredients like chicory root, soluble tapioca fiber or corn fiber. —Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 4 June 2026

Then, Burckel suggests fructans, which are a type of carbohydrate that naturally occurs in certain cereals, legumes, and fruit and vegetables such as asparagus, chicory, and melon, all of which help balance the microbiota. —Mélanie Nauche, Vogue, 28 May 2026

Examples include garlic, onions, bananas, apples, oats, asparagus, leeks, avocados, broccoli, cabbage, beans, chia seeds, flax seeds, whole grains, chicory root and Jerusalem artichokes. —Ryan Brennan, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 15 May 2026

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