noun

endive

EN-dyve

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Endive (noun) means a leafy green used in salads, botanically Cichorium endivia, which people often mix up with chicory. Example: “She tossed some endive leaves through the salad.”

noun

A leafy green used in salads, botanically Cichorium endivia, which people often mix up with chicory.

"She tossed some endive leaves through the salad."

"Endive has a slightly bitter taste compared with lettuce."

"He grows endive in the garden alongside other salad greens."

How to use endive

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishEndive is a leafy green vegetable used in salads.

When to use it

This is an everyday culinary word, used mainly in cooking and food writing.

Memory tip

Remember it is often mixed up with chicory, so check which plant a recipe actually means.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

chicory →

Common pairings

endive salad a head of endive bitter endive leaves

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “endive” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She tossed some _____ leaves through the salad.

Etymology

The word came into English from Middle French endive, which traces back to Medieval Latin endivia and Italian indivia or endivia. Those in turn go back to Medieval Greek entubion and Latin intibus, with the ultimate root likely Semitic.

Origin: Middle French

Rhymes for endive

five give dive live olive drive alive dative strive derive active arrive

See all rhymes for endive →

Frequently asked questions

What is endive?

Endive is a leafy salad vegetable, botanically known as Cichorium endivia.

Is endive the same as chicory?

No, endive is a distinct plant, though it is commonly confused with common chicory.

Where does the word endive come from?

It came into English from Middle French, ultimately tracing back through Latin and Greek, with a likely Semitic root.

What is the meaning of endive?

"endive" (noun) means a leafy green used in salads, botanically Cichorium endivia, which people often mix up with chicory.