coffee

American  

[kaw-fee, kof-ee] / ˈkɔ fi, ˈkɒf i /

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of coffee

1590–1600; < Italian caff è < Turkish kahve < Arabic qahwah

Example Sentences

As beautiful as this book is, worthy of the finest coffee table, it would be a mistake to call it a hagiography.

From The Wall Street Journal

Do you reach for coffee at night to stay awake?

From Science Daily

They describe the details of their lives; practising yoga despite the sounds of explosions, eating birthday cake alone and venturing out to near-empty coffee shops.

From BBC

In 1947, McCormick bought San Francisco’s A. Schilling & Co., a coffee, spice and extract company, building the business’s coast-to-coast distribution in the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal

I have a soft spot for the cinnamon coffee cake from Starbucks — or rather, for what I remember it being like when I was 12.

From Salon

Related Words

• caffeine
• cappuccino
• espresso