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

Serving hot beignets and chicory café au lait since 1862, the main location sits right on the edge of Jackson Square in the French Quarter. —Lauren Schuster, Kansas City Star, 1 May 2026

The shop has been serving hot beignets and chicory café au lait since 1862, and the main location sits right on the edge of Jackson Square in the French Quarter. —Lauren Schuster, Charlotte Observer, 1 May 2026

Open since 1862, this is the undisputed icon, known for serving hot beignets alongside their signature chicory café au lait. —Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026

The bitterness in chicories comes from the chemical compound lactucopicrin or intybin, which is their natural defense against disease and predators — and is also said to be a faint sedative and mild pain killer. —Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 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