chive

noun

ˈchīv How to pronounce chive (audio)
: a perennial plant (Allium schoenoprasum) related to the onion and having slender leaves used as a seasoning
also : its leaves
—usually plural compare garlic chive

Examples of chive in a Sentence

Do you want chives on your baked potato?
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Lahsooni Oysters — topped with chili garlic butter, amul cheese, sooji rusk crumbs and chives, pulled from the menu at Adi’s Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant Ishq in New York. — Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 2026 The carrot-ginger bisque is now made from apple and kuri squash, the potato-and-chive pierogi is now a French onion-and-sunchoke pierogi and the dessert beignets were replaced by caramel apple donuts. — Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 7 Oct. 2026 Anna Frizzell and Seth Dolinsky run Rare Herb Farm & Provisions, growing culinary herbs and turning them into dips and spreads such as lovage tahini and basil chive pesto. — Sean Timberlake, Sacbee.com, 30 Sep. 2026 The diced cubes of tuna mixed with avocado arrived with a garnish of black and white sesame seeds and one chive sprig draped on top, all surrounded by a fan of wonton chips. — Restaurant Critic, Houston Chronicle, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for chive

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin cepa onion

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of chive was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing chive

Rhymes for chive

See All Rhymes for chive

Browse Nearby Words

chivaree
chive
chiven
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Chive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chive. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

chive

noun
ˈchīv How to pronounce chive (audio)
: an herb related to the onion and having leaves used as a seasoning

More from Merriam-Webster on chive

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about chive

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