Skip to main content
chicory root

chicory root

1 5.3
People use a dried, roasted root instead of coffee to add flavor
  • noun
  • /ˈʧɪkəri ruːt/
translation icon : raíz de achicoria
  • Chicory root goes in my coffee every morning, and I don't fart (as a regular thing, I mean).

Examples

  • Many people include chicory root in their herbal preparations for its potential health benefits.

  • And chicory root is in some herbal teas as well.

    Blog text (7)
  • I'll keep my eyes out for inulin/chicory root.

    Blog text (7)
  • I eat Fiber One Brownies, which have chicory root extract, but have no trouble of this nature.

    Blog text (7)
  • I add chicory root to my coffee for a rich flavor and caffeine alternative.

  • Using chicory root as a coffee substitute is popular among those wanting to reduce their caffeine intake.

Synonyms

chicory
vschicory root
2 6.9

A roasted root used as a coffee substitute or mixed into coffee

includes dried and ground forms not limited to the roasted form

Surface Forms

chicory root singular
chicory roots plural

Morphology

chicory + root

The meaning 'the root of the chicory plant (dried/roasted/used as a coffee substitute)' is directly derivable from combining 'chicory' (the plant/product) with 'root' (plant organ). This simple noun–noun composition is a common, compositional pattern cross-linguistically, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

The noun chicory root comes from the old practice of roasting the plant's root to make a dark, coffee-like drink. People used the roasted root when real coffee was not available, so today chicory root means the dried, roasted, or ground root used as a 'coffee substitute' or additive.