endive

noun

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

Examples of endive in a Sentence

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.
Spoon the salad mixture into each endive leaf, ensuring a generous amount of filling per cup. Fox News, 5 Jan. 2025 Vegetables: Plant through mid-month; beets, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, celery, collards, endive, kohlrabi, lettuce, mustard, peas, potatoes, radishes, Swiss chard and turnips. Tom MacCubbin, Orlando Sentinel, 1 Feb. 2025 Grab varieties of greens like Romaine, spinach, cabbage and endive to spin with ease — then build salads and healthy meals. Erica Lamberg, Fox News, 6 Jan. 2025 Serve with endive cups for the best elegant dipper. Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 26 Nov. 2024 See All Example Sentences for endive

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

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Endive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/endive. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

endive

noun
en·​dive ˈen-ˌdīv How to pronounce endive (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on endive

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