coffee

American  

[kaw-fee, kof-ee] / ˈkɔ fi, ˈkɒf i /

noun

• coffees
  plural

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.

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adjective

1. coffee-colored.

coffee British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• coffees
  plural

Etymology

Origin of coffee

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

Explanation

The hot, brown beverage that many people start their days with is called coffee. To make coffee, you can grind coffee beans and pour very hot water over the grounds. Many people drink coffee because they love the deep, roasted flavor, and also for the caffeine it contains — drinking coffee helps you feel more awake and alert. The green coffee bean that's roasted and ground to produce your cup of Joe grows on a bush in a warm climate. People have been drinking coffee since at least the 15th century, although it didn't catch on with Americans until the Revolutionary War, when the British habit of tea drinking plummeted in popularity.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

coffee coffees

Companies have struggled to appeal to inflation-fatigued consumers who have faced higher prices for everything from coffee to beef and gasoline.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026

“Wattle seed’s coffee and chocolate notes add a native differential to certain dishes, but specifically desserts and canapés,” says Bendrau.

From Salon ● Aug. 30, 2026

"You can live okay with coffee, but it's durian that makes you rich," said Pham Xuan Lan, as he showed AFP journalists around his farm.

From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026

Gen Z consumers - people born between 1997 and 2012 - are increasingly choosing cold drinks that they can customise themselves over traditional coffee.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

I dug through my bag, produced two knit coffee cup sleeves, and thrust them into his hands.

From "Bye Forever, I Guess" by Jodi Meadows

"I don't want people to be conflicted over watching the England game and coming into work," he says, adding he'll "get the black coffees ready" for those who do come in.

From BBC ● Jul. 3, 2026

The soda company installed coolers in a handful of Texas locations, stocking them with Coke’s non-soda brands such as Powerade, carbonated coffees and energy drinks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 13, 2026

The coffees and lunches and dinners of that season flicker in my mind like a rom-com video montage.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 29, 2026

Pistachio cold foam now perches atop iced coffees from nationwide chains, Dubai chocolate knock-offs sit at every grocery checkout stand and boutique patisseries fill croissants with pistachio butters and creams.

From Salon ● May 6, 2026

Jeweled pavilions and gazebos dot garden lanes, serving different teas, coffees, and sweets.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

Related Words

• caffeine
• cappuccino
• espresso