# Kiev

/ˌkiˈɛv/ (US)

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

## Senses

### 1. the city

noun · CEFR B2 · Archaic

the capital city of Ukraine, now usually spelled 'Kyiv' in English.

For teachers: the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. While 'Kiev' was the standard English transliteration for decades, 'Kyiv' is now the preferred spelling in official and journalistic contexts.

- Many older maps show the city as Kiev instead of Kyiv.
- The historical significance of Kiev as the center of the Kievan Rus remains a vital part of Eastern European academic study.

Teaching tip: This spelling is now considered dated or politically insensitive by many; learners should use 'Kyiv' for the city.

### 2. the dish

noun · CEFR B2

a dish made of a chicken breast filled with cold garlic butter and then fried.

For teachers: a culinary preparation, specifically 'Chicken Kiev', consisting of a boneless chicken breast pounded and rolled around cold garlic butter, then breaded and deep-fried.

- We ordered a chicken kiev with a side of mashed potatoes.
- The chef prepared a modern version of the classic kiev, substituting the traditional garlic butter with a wild mushroom reduction.

Usage: Often used as a countable noun when referring to a single serving.

## Examples

- I ordered a chicken kiev with a side of mashed potatoes.
- The chef carefully chilled the butter before rolling it into the chicken to ensure the kiev didn't leak during frying.
- While traditionally deep-fried to achieve a golden crust, modern interpretations of the kiev often involve baking to reduce the fat content while maintaining the signature liquid center.

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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.