chive

[ chahyv ]

/ tʃaɪv /

Save This Word!

noun

a small bulbous plant, Allium schoenoprasum, related to the leek and onion, having long, slender leaves that are used as a seasoning.

QUIZ

ARE YOU A TRUE BLUE CHAMPION OF THESE "BLUE" SYNONYMS?

We could talk until we're blue in the face about this quiz on words for the color "blue," but we think you should take the quiz and find out if you're a whiz at these colorful terms.

Question 1 of 8

Which of the following words describes “sky blue”?

navy

beryl

azure

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Meet Grammar Coach

Write or paste your essay, email, or story into Grammar Coach and get grammar help

Improve Your Writing

Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing

Origin of chive

1350–1400; Middle English cive<Anglo-French chive,Old French cive ≪ Latin caepa onion

Words nearby chive

chiv, chivalric, chivalrous, chivalry, chivaree, chive, chivy, Ch. J., Chkalov, Chladni figure, chlamydate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

How to use chive in a sentence

The chives can be harvested weekly, but you’ll have to wait two weeks for the rest.
These 6 tools will up your gardening game this summer|Quinn Gawronski|July 18, 2021|Popular-Science
Garlic, onions, leeks, scallions, chives, shallots, because of their strong, sharp flavor when raw, are most often chopped, diced, minced, and then sautéed or otherwise cooked or worked into the base of the dish, as a building block that adds flavor.
Ramps, spring’s trendiest produce, explained|Nisha Chittal|May 14, 2021|Vox
A crisp-edged chive crepe comes with a filling of mushroom duxelles and a side dollop of tomato concasse for tang and shade.
L’Auberge Chez Francois is ready for its close-up, yet again|Tom Sietsema|April 9, 2021|Washington Post
Add the chives, soy sauce and wine, if using, and cook, stirring until the chives are aromatic, about 2 minutes.
Homemade dumplings bring me closer to family this Lunar New Year, even from far away|Marian Liu|February 5, 2021|Washington Post

Add one chive, one cardamon, two cloves, half a nutmeg and salt to taste.
Punch, Or The London Charivari, Vol. 156, April 9, 1919|Various
The chive rarely forms seeds, and it is propagated by the bulbs, which grow in clusters.
The Vegetable Garden|Anonymous
If small, serve whole; if large, cut them in one-half inch cubes and reheat in Chive Sauce.
Fifty-Two Sunday Dinners|Elizabeth O. Hiller
"Only a prince and a chive," said the man, disgustedly, meaning my half-crown and a jack-knife.
Jim Davis|John Masefield

British Dictionary definitions for chive

chive

/ (tʃaɪv) /

noun

a small Eurasian purple-flowered alliaceous plant, Allium schoenoprasum, whose long slender hollow leaves are used in cooking to flavour soups, stews, etcAlso called: chives

Word Origin for chive

C14: from Old French cive, ultimately from Latin caepa onion

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012