# coffee

/ˈkɑfi/ (US) · /kˈɒfi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/coffee
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. the drink

noun · CEFR A1

a hot or cold drink made from the roasted seeds of a tropical plant.

For teachers: a beverage produced by infusing roasted and ground seeds of the coffee plant in water.

- I usually drink a cup of black coffee to help me wake up in the morning.
- The barista recommended a medium roast coffee from Ethiopia, noting its distinct floral notes and bright acidity.

### 2. a serving

noun · CEFR A1

one cup or portion of the drink.

For teachers: a single serving of the beverage. Countable in informal or service contexts.

- We sat in the café and ordered two coffees and a slice of cake.
- After the meeting, the colleagues went out for several coffees to discuss the project in a more relaxed environment.

### 3. beans or powder

noun · CEFR A2

the seeds or the ground powder used to make the drink.

For teachers: the roasted seeds (beans) or the ground substance derived from the Coffea plant.

- She bought a bag of fresh coffee and ground it at home.
- The aroma of freshly ground coffee filled the kitchen long before the water had even finished boiling.

### 4. the plant

noun · CEFR B2

the tropical tree or bush that produces coffee beans.

For teachers: any of several tropical African shrubs or small trees of the genus Coffea.

- Coffee grows best in high altitudes with plenty of rain and shade.
- The plantation owner explained that the coffee requires specific soil conditions and a frost-free climate to thrive.

### 5. a colour

noun · CEFR B1

a light or medium brown colour.

For teachers: a shade of brown resembling the appearance of coffee, particularly when mixed with milk.

- The walls of the living room were painted a soft coffee colour.
- She chose a coffee-coloured silk for the bridesmaids' dresses to complement the autumn wedding theme.

### 6. related to coffee

adjective · CEFR A2

used to describe things made for or used with coffee.

For teachers: used attributively to describe items associated with the preparation or consumption of coffee.

- He put his book down on the coffee table and went to answer the door.
- The interior designer suggested a low coffee table to maintain the open feel of the lounge area.

### 7. to drink coffee

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal

to meet someone to drink coffee together.

For teachers: to consume coffee, often used to describe a social gathering centered around the beverage.

- We should coffee sometime next week and catch up on everything.
- The two writers would often coffee at the local bistro while brainstorming ideas for their upcoming collaborative novel.

## Examples

- I drink a cup of hot coffee every morning.
- The office kitchen provides free coffee to help employees stay alert during long meetings.
- While some connoisseurs prefer the bright acidity of light-roasted beans, others seek the smoky, full-bodied profile characteristic of a dark roast coffee.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.