First recorded in 1585–95; apparently back formation from caviarie, perhaps from obsolete Italian caviari, plural of caviaro (modern Italian caviale ), of disputed origin; apparently from Turkish havyar, from Persian
Caviar is food that's considered a delicacy, although it's really just fish eggs. You might find caviar on the menu at a fancy restaurant. Typically, caviar comes from large fish like sturgeon or salmon, whose eggs are cleaned and lightly salted. Caviar looks like tiny bubbles, ranging in color from black to gray to red, depending on the type of fish. It tastes mildly fishy and salty. The word caviar is French, from a Persian root, khaviyar, from khaya, "egg."
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When Dave Shae boarded the first-class cabin for his Emirates flight from New York to Milan, he was greeted with bottomless Dom Perignon and white-glove caviar service.
From MarketWatch • Jun. 5, 2026
From vegan crunch wraps to $12 caviar bumps and L.A.-style tacos, here’s everything you need to eat and drink at Coachella Weekend 2.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
The starter was inspired by his mother and consisted of a langoustine and green apple tartare, with a kefir and caviar sauce and tomato powder.
From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026
Some pieces are classic — simply fish and seasoned rice — while others are dressed with gold, caviar and flowers for an extra touch of luxury.
From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026
The children didn’t like the lobster and the cold oysters had no taste and the caviar seemed too salty.
From "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" by Betty Smith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
