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
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 Radicchio, chicory, rocket and grapefruit all fit the bill. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026 The Sutherland Trail offers the best assortment of flowers with poppies, cream cups, lupines, penstemon and desert chicory. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 21 Feb. 2026 Both chicory root fiber and erythritol are poorly digested. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chicory
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.
Michelle Huneven, Los Angeles Times, 15 Apr. 2026 Radicchio, chicory, rocket and grapefruit all fit the bill. —Hannah Coates, Vogue, 5 Mar. 2026 The Sutherland Trail offers the best assortment of flowers with poppies, cream cups, lupines, penstemon and desert chicory. —Roger Naylor, AZCentral.com, 21 Feb. 2026 Both chicory root fiber and erythritol are poorly digested. —Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 10 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chicory
Cite this Entry
“Chicory.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/dictionary/chicory. Accessed 23 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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