endive

noun

en·​dive ˈen-ˌdīv  ˌän-ˈdēv 

1

: an annual or biennial composite herb (Cichorium endivia) that is closely related to chicory and occurs in two common varieties:

a

: a variety (C. endivia var. crispa) having curly, usually dissected leaves : curly endive

b

: a variety (C. endivia var. latifolium) having broad flat leaves used especially cooked as a vegetable : escarole

2

: belgian endive

Examples of endive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The endive is a bed laying there, waiting for asparagus to fall on it. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025

Jesse's asparagus and endive salad with the Comté cream. —Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Apr. 2025

In senior test kitchen editor Jesse Szewczyk’s asparagus and endive salad, Comté gets blended with oil and water to create a silky, nutty dressing. —Editors Of Bon Appétit, Bon Appetit Magazine, 29 Mar. 2025

Spoon the salad mixture into each endive leaf, ensuring a generous amount of filling per cup. —Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin endivia, from Late Greek entybion, from Latin intubus

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing endive

• Belgian endive
• curly endive

Kids Definition

endive

noun

en·​dive ˈen-ˌdīv 

1

: an herb closely related to chicory and widely grown as a salad plant

called also escarole

2

: the developing shoot of chicory when it is made pale or white by growing in the dark for use in salads