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

He got me addicted to coffee and to his amazing cooking.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026

“Many of my projects can be traced back to this space,” he told me, citing the several cups of coffee he’s shared there with collaborators and curators from spaces like Compton Museum and Color Compton.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026

South Korea is the third-largest market for the coffee giant, behind the United States where it was founded, and China.

From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026

Starbucks Korea had in May launched a coffee tumbler promotion called "Tank Day" on the anniversary of the 1980 Gwangju Uprising, where hundreds were believed to have been killed by military forces.

From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026

Dad breaks off a piece of his cookie and holds it up with one hand and his iced coffee in the other.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

So the American Heart Association has stated how many coffees per day are OK.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 25, 2026

Dr Daly says one or two coffees a day should make little difference to your hydration levels - but five or six will start to have an effect.

From BBC ● Jul. 8, 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

Audrey ordered us coffees while I tried to come up with an answer.

From "We Are the Ants" by Shaun David Hutchinson

Related Words

• caffeine
• cappuccino
• espresso