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

Rather than loading up on sugar and additives, the recipe centers on compounds tied to winding down, including L-theanine, magnesium, lemon balm, chamomile and chicory root fiber. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson july 17, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 17 July 2026

Chicory Coffee Chicory coffee is made from roasted chicory root, an herb with a flavor similar to that of conventional coffee. — Lauren Panoff, Verywell Health, 1 July 2026

The menu focuses on Roman classics like cacio e pepe, carbonara-style rigatoni, Roman-style artichokes, and aged bistecca Fiorentina with roasted potatoes and sautéed chicory. — Jim Dobson, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

It’s served as a deconstructed Caesar salad, with a heap of bone-in chicken crowded next to fuchsia chicories and croutons. — Jenn Harris, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 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