endive

American  

[en-dahyv, ahn-deev, ahn-deev] / ˈɛn daɪv, ˈɑn div, ɑ̃ˈdiv /

noun

endives plural

1. a composite plant, Cichorium endivia, having a rosette of often curly-edged leaves used in salads.

2. Also called French endive,.  Also called Belgian endive,.  Also called witloof.  a young chicory plant, deprived of light to form a narrow head of whitish leaves that are eaten as a cooked vegetable or used raw in salads.

3. Furniture. an ornamental motif having the form of an arrangement of acanthus or endive leaves.

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endive British  

/ ˈɛndaɪv /

noun

1. a plant, Cichorium endivia, cultivated for its crisp curly leaves, which are used in salads: family Asteraceae (composites) Compare chicory

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Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• endives
  plural

Etymology

Origin of endive

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French ≪ Medieval Greek entýbia, plural of entýbion, derivative of earlier éntybon < Latin intubum, intibum, earlier intubus chicory, endive, perhaps < Semitic

Compare meaning

How does endive compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• escarole vs. endive
• chicory vs. endive

Example Sentences

Serve on sliced baguette, sliced tomatoes, endive, radishes, celery sticks, and other prepared raw vegetables.

From Salon • May 10, 2025

Perhaps a microgreens or endive salad, with shitake mushrooms?

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2024

Any combination of bitter greens, such as frisée, endive, radicchio, escarole or arugula, works well in this recipe.

From Washington Times • Dec. 22, 2023

This bistro-style blue-cheese steak and endive salad serves two.

From New York Times • Feb. 15, 2023

“Pate de foie gras, soupe a l’oignon, faisan sous cloche, salade endive, fromages et fruits et demi-tasse,” he said carefully, and clapped his hands again.

From "The Phantom Tollbooth" by Norton Juster