chive

noun

: 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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ornamental onions, chives, and spring onions produce a scent and flavor that squirrels find distasteful. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 4 Sep. 2025 Sprinkle with any leftover crumb mixture and additional chives; serve with remaining chipotle sauce on the side. Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 31 Aug. 2025 The Onion Dip, a play on the retro party food classic, is the very definition of culinary indulgence; a blend of sweet, caramelised Vidalia onions and crème fraîche, garnished with pickled pearl onions, crispy onions, chives, and caviar (of course). Lela London, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2025 Sprinkle sea salt on the tomatoes and sprinkle the chives over the soup. Amy Drew Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chive

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chive was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chive. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

chive

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

More from Merriam-Webster on chive

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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