endive

American  

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

noun

plural

endives

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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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

Then, the table is blanketed in banchan, side dishes meant to complement and elevate the meal, as well as rice, perilla, lettuce, and endive, to wrap morsels of grilled meat.

From Salon • Oct. 31, 2025

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

From Washington Times • Dec. 22, 2023

Beets, spinach, and endive died where they grew, with telltale dried-up, silver-metallic leaves.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2023

Scoops of the creamy, crunchy bistro staple, elevated with smoked trout in the julienne mix, showed up in a trio of chive-flecked Belgian endive “boats,” a clever mode of transport.

From Washington Post • Apr. 21, 2023

The Tribeca Grill serves caramelized endive with poached lobster.

From "Woe Is I" by Patricia T. O'Conner