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

If you would have asked me about coffee when I was 21, 22?

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 21, 2026

The move follows the coffee chain’s other recent collaborations with Hello Kitty, the clothing and accessories brand Roller Rabbit and the fashion brand Dandy.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 19, 2026

For one, it was a blast of cold coffee to the face to realize that what qualifies as a career-derailing flop in 2006 meets or beats the quality of most made-for-Netflix features.

From Salon ● Sep. 18, 2026

"The habitats that Slash's groundsnake is from are under threat from industries like coffee farming and mining," says Ruane.

From Science Daily ● Sep. 18, 2026

I ask him, clearing the coffee table of the pile of dirty dishes that always seem to accumulate on it.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam

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

Arabica, the smoother bean used in many premium coffees, was also hurt by Brazil’s weather problems.

From Barron's ● Jun. 18, 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

Marjorie and Babs were ahead of me, standing in the hall with take-out coffees.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

Related Words

• caffeine
• cappuccino
• espresso