coffee

[kaw-fee, kof-ee]

noun

1. a beverage consisting of a decoction or infusion of the roasted ground or crushed seeds coffeebeans of the two-seeded fruit coffeeberry of certain coffee trees.

2. the seeds or fruit themselves.

3. any tropical tree or shrub of the genus Coffea, of the madder family, especially C. arabica and C. canephora, cultivated commercially.

4. a cup of coffee.

   We ordered four coffees and three doughnuts.

5. a social gathering at which coffee and other refreshments are served.

6. medium to dark brown.

adjective

1. coffee-colored.

coffee

/ ˈkɒfɪ /

noun

1. 1. a drink consisting of an infusion of the roasted and ground or crushed seeds of the coffee tree

   2. ( as modifier )

      coffee grounds

2. Also called: coffee beans. the beanlike seeds of the coffee tree, used to make this beverage

3. short for coffee tree

4. 1. a medium to dark brown colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      a coffee carpet

5. See wake 1

Word History and Origins

Origin of coffee¹

1590–1600; < Italian caff è < Turkish kahve < Arabic qahwah

Word History and Origins

Origin of coffee¹

C16: from Italian caffè, from Turkish kahve, from Arabic qahwah coffee

Example Sentences

The company started organizing Cursor pop-up cafe events this fall, taking over local coffee shops and turning them into a co-working space for engineers to connect.

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I make myself a cup of coffee and make the kids their breakfast and lunch, then Ashton takes them to the bus.

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You could argue that the first viral example of this experimentation was the espresso martini, whose rise in popularity coincided with the expansion of the coffee liquor market.

Read more on Salon

Likewise, rising voter concern about food prices has led to tariffs on imports of coffee, bananas and some beef being ditched.

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The American coffee company has lost market share in China to cheaper, local rivals such as Luckin Coffee, which dethroned Starbucks as the country’s biggest coffee chain by sales and stores in 2023.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• caffeine 
• cappuccino 
• espresso