caviar
noun
the roe of sturgeon, especially the beluga, or other fish, usually served as an hors d'oeuvre or appetizer.
caviar
American
[kav-ee-ahr, kav-ee-ahr]
/ ˈkæv iˌɑr, ˌkæv iˈɑr /
Or
caviare
noun
CAVIAR
1
British
/ ˈkævɪˌɑː /
acronym
caviar
2
British
/ ˌkævɪˈɑː, ˈkævɪˌɑː /
noun
Etymology
Origin of caviar
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
Explanation
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."
Vocabulary lists containing caviar
World Cuisine - Introductory
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
World Cuisine - Middle School and High School
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Russia - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Sorry, but you’re going to have to wait a full year to watch 3:30 a.m. tennis in NYC while eating caviar chicken nuggets and drinking $23 cocktails that taste like unicorn tears.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
I loved the combination, though next time I’d probably hold the olive oil and let the caviar have the spotlight.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
At the exclusive terminal for the rich and the famous at Los Angeles International Airport, passengers are greeted with champagne and caviar, then whisked directly to their planes in a customized BMW.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026
You are, I’m sorry to say, making caviar out of scrambled eggs.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
When I finished my first plate of cold chicken and caviar, I laid out another.
From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath
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.
