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

Susman, Jacob and a small team of Pixar employees then spent a weekend inspecting 30,000 files, fueled by way too much pizza and coffee poured by Catmull and Pixar’s chairman: Steve Jobs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 20, 2026

You get one of those, and then you go over to Joan’s on Third, and you get yourself a really strong cup of coffee, because Joan’s is right there, part of the farmers market.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

His group of merry men held meetups at coffee shops, beer halls and the zoo, hosted holiday hootenannies and even offered CPR classes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2026

Historical analysis from market-research service SentimenTrader shows that when coffee has surged this quickly after recently hitting a major low, returns have often been poor over the next two to six months.

From Barron's • Jun. 18, 2026

It was a short ride on “the Metro” to Washington, DC—and all the museums, shops, theater, and coffee shops.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Related Words

• caffeine
• cappuccino
• espresso